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Tag: storytelling

Are you in the right theater?

This may sound hokey, but stay with me.

If you were an outside observer watching the events of your life on a movie screen, would you enjoy what was playing?

When we’re able to remove ourselves and consider our decisions objectively, we gain valuable information. Our emotions no longer dictate action. By stepping back, we can better identify the path we’re traveling on.

Are you moving closer towards your goals and the person you hope to be? Are you creating something you’re proud of?

Envision your life on film.

People are watching.

Excitement vs fear

Racing heart, quickened pulse, shallow breathing, heightened awareness, tingling extremities.

What does that sound like to you?
It’s easy to group anxiety, fear, nervousness, and excitement together because we physically experience them in similar ways.  What distinguishes these sensations from each other is the lens through which we perceive them.
Fear often stops us in our tracks, preventing us from progression and development. It’s the tree falling directly onto our chosen path, leaving us questioning whether we’re heading down the right road. It’s a powerful paralysis.
Excitement is that green light encouraging us to move forward and do. It provides the permission, space, and courage to dream and make big things happen. A close relative of passion and creativity, excitement feeds and propels one towards action.

Our opportunity is the moment in which we step back and observe our fears, quietly noticing what excites us.

How do you interpret your tightening muscles and thumping heart?
Can you slow your breathing just enough to focus on the present moment?
Would the situation change if you rephrased fear as excitement?
Are you stunting your ideas, growth, curiosity, and ability to create?
What it would be like to run towards the situation, instead of away?

Common situations that feel scary:

  • just before a big presentation
  • entering a new environment
  • unexpected scenarios
  • meeting a senior partner
  • visiting a new place
  • job interviews
  • cold-calling new sales leads
  • proposing your idea to the team
  • quitting your job
  • transitions
  • large events (weddings, family reunions, corporate gatherings)
  • conflicts
  • first dates
  • public speaking

Recognize how you assimilate these kinds of experiences. Be the armchair anthropologist of your own life and simply observe. Then, challenge yourself to turn fear into excitement. Practice patience with your fear (and yourself), and use physical sensations as an internal compass. See if you can push past what you’re afraid of and bring excitement to the table.
I’ve found the things that excite and scare me often deliver the greatest rewards.

“So…what do you do?” or 20 things you can talk about when meeting someone new

A challenge:

The next time you’re at a party or social gathering, abolish “What do you do?” from your vernacular.

You will most likely find out sooner or later what someone does. There are a gazillion things you can talk about without having to ask how an individual pays bills, and the probability that the “9-5” isn’t really what gets that person going is high. Isn’t it more interesting to talk about passion?

Topics you can discuss when meeting someone for the first time:

  1. current events
  2. recent book reads
  3. projects that excite you
  4. favorite places to travel
  5. hobbies
  6. pets
  7. an embarrassing story you can laugh at now
  8. why you’re there
  9. who you are looking to meet
  10. where you’re stuck
  11. sports (whether you play, watch, or remember a hero from childhood)
  12. notable charities
  13. beverage of choice
  14. plans for the holidays / next scheduled vacation
  15. an object in space (a nearby piece of artwork or architecture of the building)
  16. something you’re looking forward to
  17. sincere compliments
  18. the weather (if you must)
  19. recent successes
  20. first memory taking risks

note: On occasion, you will meet an individual who has successfully managed to blend passion and work. Hang around this person, ask them lots of questions, and ask them to introduce you to others.

What are you collecting?

Collectors usually get some sort of attention. Whether it’s stamps, debt, records, insects, comics, paintings, or coins — collectors have something to show, something to talk about.

What if you viewed yourself as a collector, adding more and more unique moments to your personal high-value collection?

You’re the owner. How will you build upon your existing collection? What kind of assets will you preserve and who will be privileged enough hear about it (or see it)?

The more experiences you obtain, the more interesting you become. With interesting stories, there’s no doubt you’ll attract an audience.

That goes for brands and people, too.