I did the lamest thing ever this week.

I listened to the same podcast 7 times.

Why would I be so stupid you may ask?

I’ll get to that. but first:

Shaan Puri, who is he?

He is a writer who built and sold a newsletter called the milk road. (for millions of dollars) And he's used writing and storytelling to build a career. He gets to do interesting things, and money is the exhaust of his interests.

He said there are two types of people: Generous Experts and Curious Beginners.

Generous experts share what they’ve already done. And curious beginners share as they go.

I’m in the second camp.

"I don't like to toot my own horn but… beep beep."

That's how Shaan Puri opens his own storytelling masterclass. (which cracks me up every time)

One of the things that I enjoy learning from Shaan is how fun he is. When I read his writing I find myself inspired, smiling, and learning.

A bet your a bit like me. You have a dream, but don't even know where to begin.

I wanted to write a book. (but insert your dream here)

But not just any book a book that particularly captured the 25 to 35 year range.

These years have a disproportional impact on who you become.

Here's the pain and problems you'll face if you don't become a good storyteller:

how avoiding storytelling is costing you:

What captures your attention?

When you're on YouTube why do you click on certain videos?

On Instagram why do you watch certain friends stories and not others?

On streaming services why do you watch certain shows and not others?

I bet you have some fascinating things that have happened in your life. Have you taken the time to package those stories in an interesting way?

This costs you in your health, your wealth, and your relationships:

Wealth: Job opportunities. Interviewing is telling stories about yourself. Meeting new people is about finding areas of commonality.

Relationships: Dates are often telling stories about yourself and hearing the other person's stories.

Friendships are also built off of stories. I have a friend who is an incredible story teller. He has almost a 10 minute long story of how he ran for class president at his college. Almost a year after that conversation I still remember how much I enjoyed that story. (this is the power of a story)

Health: When you see a before and after of someone who's gotten healthier it's inspiring. When you hear of someone's mental state being positively impacted by the pull of compelling stories. it makes all the difference.

We pay to go to the movies, to watch characters transform (in hours) what would actually take 5-10 years. We get to feel the emotions of falling in love, being the best in the world. All while eating popcorn, or slurping a slushy. (and having to do none of the real work required to gain those things)

two principles of storytelling:

1. I worship at the altar of intention and obstacle. (what do you want, what's in the way)

2. Signature stories (4-5 stories that give people an idea of who you are what you're about)

In every story there is an intention and there are obstacles.

Here is my story of how I started my mobile detailing business:

30 second response:

I wanted to start a business. (Intention)

I had the worst problem as an entrepreneur. (obstacle)

No money, no skills, and no ideas.

(Thank goodness for detailing, I have no other discernable skills! 😉)

I clayed my vehicle for the first time and it changed colors.

My mind was blown.

I loved my own car so much more and I wondered would other people pay me anything to have a similar experience?

I knocked on 30 doors

Got through to 18 people

16 Said no.

2 said yes.

That was the beginning.

Over the last two years I’ve detailed over 400 vehicle.

two minute response:

Mark Randel said something I’ve never forgotten: (and when someone has sold a company to adobe for 400 million dollars it’s probably worth paying attention)

He said every idea is a bad idea until it’s been tested in the marketplace.

I had the worst problem as an entrepreneur.

No money, no skills, and no ideas.

Thank goodness for detailing, I have no discernable skills other than that! ;)

I clayed my vehicle for the first time and it changed colors

My mind was blown.

I loved my own car so much more and I wondered would other people pay me anything to have a similar experience?

Every idea is a bad idea until its been tested, right?

Right.

So I knocked on 30 doors

Got through to 18 people

2 said yes.

That was the beginning.

I still wanted an income producing business before I finished college. I only had 5 months to figure this out.

So I did the one thing I knew how to do.

Text and call people and let them know.

I called or texted 3-5 people everyday.

I had 3-6 vehicles booked for every Saturday for the rest of the summer.

Over the last two years I’ve detailed over 400 vehicle, Everything from high end vehicles like Mercedes AMG and Audi RS products to a 57 bel air. To everyday drivers of people with kids like Toyotas and Hondas. I offer Ceramic coatings, Interior and exterior detailing, engine bay cleaning, and headlight restoration. I also do commercial work with fleets like Seniors first in Auburn, MaidPro in Roseville, and The Maids in Folsom.

And I’m so grateful for the person I’ve become in this process. Someone who thinks in systems, is creative and accountable. This business has allowed me to join BNI and lifetime, and being in environments that push me to be the best version of myself is changing who I am and what I believe is possible.

second Signature Story: Ecuador:

Ecuador 30 second:

My dad said something I’ll never forget:

“Take action, then adjust”

Living in south America for 2-3 months. that sounds like a dream… (Intention)

then I looked at my bank account… $700. Frick (obstacle)

I was standing in the kitchen of my parents home and I remember saying through gritted teeth to myself: I will never be in this position again where I can't afford to do this.”

“Take action, and adjust.”

I Quit two Jobs, no idea what I’ll do next. all I know is I have this opportunity now.

I’m so glad I said yes.

Take action, then adjust.

2 minute version:

Cool necklace where you'd get that?

Well this might sound crazy but I quit 2 jobs for this necklace.

“Dream great dreams, and have the courage to go after them”

Have you ever learned something in school and asked yourself "when am I ever going to use this?"

That wasn't the case for me with Spanish 3. I worked at a grocery store and got to use the Spanish I was learning everyday that I worked. That was a light bulb moment for me. This is how I want to learn for the rest of my life.

I was 17 years old and I had a dream to be fully immersed in Spanish and live in south America for 2-3 months. just one problem.

I had no money.

I remember receiving the email that I could go and see Jose (a child I sponsor through Compassion international) in Ecuador.

then I looked at my bank account… $700. Frick

The trip was 3613… there's no way I could afford it.

I was standing in the kitchen of my parents home and I remember saying through gritted teeth to myself: “I will never be in this position again where I can't afford to do this.”

Then two years later at I receive another email.

I Spend the most amount of money I've ever spent on any one thing. $3613 to go on a trip to see him in 2020 Little did I know...

Bam! pandemic.

No travelling. trip cancelled.

All the Spanish classes I'd taken as preparation.

Wasted.

now what am I going to do?

Then I decide to test before I jump.

I still had this dream. but it had been taken away. like so many things in 2020.

Then I talked with my dad. He said this line that sticks with me to this day:

“Take action, and adjust.”

I also did the lamest thing ever while I was feeling depressed. I simply listened to the same podcast everyday for two weeks.

This podcast started to effect me in a healthy way. One of the reasons was it had this prayer in it which I'll share with you. I pray that we would live by faith, be known by love, and be a voice of hope, that we would dream great dreams and have the courage to go after them.

So I plan a trip for 2-3 weeks on my own in early 2021.

I have an amazing time, and I plan to come back over the summer. I don't really tell everyone until it's set in stone. I quit both Goodwill and vintage grace.

I go, with no plan on what I'm going to do for work on the other side of this.

I was willing to go even though I didn’t have all the details planned and have the after perfectly aligned.

I’m so glad I said yes in that period of time. The leaps of faith and the risks I’ve said yes to in my life I’ve not regretted any of them. I love doing new things, and if you have a dream and you don’t have all the details figured out, borrow the words of my father. Take action, then adjust.

How to apply all this (develop your first story)

1. Choose one story of your life to develop.

2. Begin at the end. What did you achieve and who did you become? (or if you haven't done it yet, what are you wanting to do or become?)

3. Go to the beginning, Where were you, why did you want that thing? and what was in the way?

4. What happened in the middle.

5. Fill in the details and emotions that support the pain in the beginning. and what you achieved and who you became at the end.

6. What is the intention and the obstacle at each step of the story? (Zoom in on how you felt)

7. What 3-5 stories are core to who you are? (and repeat steps 1-6)

Example:

beginning: I wanted to write a book, but I didn't know where to start.

End: I've written 21 newsletters. With each newsletter I could compile them into a book if I want to. I also know myself better. I've developed a world view. I know what I'm for and what I'm against. I'm able to see the patterns in my own thinking much clearer because I've started writing.

Middle: at the end of 2023 I wanted to learn to write. I bought a course called 2 hour writer and that gave me a framework to write everyday. I've written for 30 minutes everyday of this year. As I've kept writing I've gone deeper into the rabit hole. I've become more aware of my own strengths and weaknesses.

Bonus step: Send me the story you wrote or create a video of you reading the story and tag me in it.

Reference: