Before we get to today’s story, I want to invite you to my next session, Understanding the Power of Storytelling to Get Noticed, Remembered, and Funded on July 15 at 2 pm PT. This session is for purpose-driven individuals primarily in the nonprofit sector. When you understand what makes stories so powerful, you’ll understand what stories in your organization are worth telling. I’ll take you on that journey to understand why so many stories fall flat and how to change your thinking in order to change your approach. I’ll also share with you a program I offer to teams or individuals in nonprofits who want to elevate their message, get noticed, and get funded. There is no charge to attend. Contact me if you are interested in attending.
I received the BEST ever speaking invitation a few weeks ago: To speak at my nephew’s sixth-grade class about my experience on Mt. Rainier. I never climbed to the summit (nor did I try), but I had climbed up to Camp Muir and skied down.
After my presentation, one of the girls in the classroom asked me “What were you thinking while you were climbing?” I laughed and replied, “Why can’t I be satisfied staying home watching TV?” I explained that during the climb, it’s not as much fun. There is suffering and uncertainty. Will I make it? Will it ever end? Fun thoughts like that come to mind. But getting to the top is a pretty amazing accomplishment and that’s why I do it. Skiing down and even finishing and going for a burger is also pretty fun. Lots of rewards.
It’s like life. We are continually operating from the middle of a story with plenty of uncertainty and suffering as we strive for something.
Will this effort or idea work? Should I focus on A or do B? Am I good enough/smart enough to get there? We don’t know what will work because we are in the middle of our story. The alternative to all those things, of course, is to alleviate all suffering and stay home and watch TV. No rewards.
I play games with the stories I tell myself.
- I act like “it’s” working like I know the end game and these are the things that need to be done.
- Just today, I had a call with a client and he said something that made me stop short and ask him to look back at the past year and how much his team has grown, and how much better he is at delegating now. Every now and then, stop and reflect back on how far you’ve come. It’s a good reminder to not be so harsh. Which brings me to one more:
- Don’t be such a jerk to yourself.
What are the stories you don’t realize need changing? In his stand-up act A Wild and Crazy Guy, Steve Martin suggests you can really screw up your kid if you use made-up words in their early years. They have no idea they are learning a fake language and they get to school and don’t make any sense. Everyone wonders what the hell happened. I mean, we all have this version of this. We aren’t even aware of thoughts or beliefs that are planted in our minds at so young an age. (I was going to say we don’t know they aren’t normal but what is normal). For example, say something happened as a child that makes you think you aren’t worthy. So you tell yourself that without realizing it. All your life. Then you learn about all these other families who raise their kids thinking anything is possible. This is a very simplistic example to illustrate my point: We have no idea what things we are carrying that could use a quick reframe.
A conversation with a good coach could help you uncover it.
Anyway, these are the stories we tell ourselves. They shape the stories we tell others.
Take care out there,
Some ways I may be able to help you and your team:
Want help seeing things differently? Ready to make that idea of yours happen? I still have a few spaces available in July for my Take a Big Leap Coaching program for purpose-driven individuals who want to make a big change or level up their career, business/organization, or want to strike out on their own and launch their thing. This four-month, one-on-one program will help you articulate and make your idea of change happen. Respond here, and we can schedule a time to discuss.
Help non-profit team members level up their storytelling. In this three-part series, I can work with your team to help you elevate your organization’s communications and storytelling skills. Want more details? Respond here to schedule a time to talk.
Digital Transformation. Need to bring your work online? I’m here to help. Contact me for details.
Stay in touch.
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