So... you want to become a good storyteller?

People celebrate how hard you tried, not that you succeeded.

I'm going to break a rule.

There are only two more things you need to know for this week.

1. Every story is leading to a 5 second moment of transformation.

2. The audience doesn't love the hero because they succeed, They love the hero because of how hard they try. (Pixar rule)

Problem: Now Isn't The Right Time

The best time to start was years ago. The second best time is now.

I know what you're thinking:

I'm too young, I haven't built anything yet, why would anyone listen to me? I've only failed at everything. I don't have any interesting stories to tell.

There are two ways to share (from last week's Newsletter)

1. Generous expert

2. Curious beginner (that's me)

What if people want to hear the story of your life? And all you have to do is learn to tell the real things that have happened in a compelling way?

It is true, it's easier if you’ve done interesting things. What's insane is the things that are so normal to you, aren't to most others. I did background acting on Icarly, and smothered a duck. (in a movie not in real life, PETA don't come after me) I forget to even tell people about that most of the time. (because I was 12)

How I Use Storytelling To Allow Others To Celebrate With Me:

I had a strange moment last week.

I celebrated hitting a business goal.

People were proud of me. (and wanted to celebrate with me.)

I was so grateful to be able to tell a story about this. (because if it weren't for my sister in law I wouldn't have posted about it at all) It wasn't an instant success. It was failure and effort for over two years. Almost choosing to quit. But instead investing in training that increased my skill set. And having friends and family who believed in me.

I kept the idea of intention and obstacle in mind as I wrote.

That's cool for you Daniel, you're probably thinking, but why write about this?

Intention and obstacle allowed me to share success, but in a way that was honest about the struggle and the challenge. It allowed for other people to go on this journey through the story I told. Then, when they saw the success I was celebrating, they had the chance to celebrate with me.

This was Pixar’s rule in action: The audience doesn't love the hero because they succeed, they love the hero because of how hard they try. Here is the link to the post for you to read. : https://www.instagram.com/p/C82_CxuSIUx/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I almost didn't post about this at all, because I didn't know how to share in a way that didn't come off as pretentious. I did this because I love cars, not to try to show off to other people.

After I wrote my version one I just asked:

1. what was my intention?

2. what were my obstacles?

Then I zoomed in on the month where I actually did it, and what I was doing daily. I want my friends to feel like when I succeed that they succeed too.

People don't care that you succeeded. They care that you tried hard. So zoom in on the effort and how you felt in those moments.

Look for the 5 seconds of transformation. Who were you before and who are you now. If you can identify that moment you can build compelling stories.

What is the effort that you are putting in behind the scenes? Now it’s your turn to try.

5 steps To Write A Story

1. Let yourself be a curious beginner. (critical mindset)

2. Identify what you want (intention)

3. Identify what’s in your way (obstacle)

4. What is the 5 second moment of change?

5. zoom in on to the effort you put in (before) you had the change. (people love the hero because of how hard they try)

References:

Last weeks newsletter: How To Master Storytelling (2 Keys from a curious beginner)

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlTA4wXSACE&ab_channel=MyFirstMillion