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Adam Smith | January 21, 2013 | 12 Comments

Learn How To Tell Your Story

bench_sitting_man_story

If you haven’t experienced this already, there will come a time where you will need to share your story with others. Your life story is being crafted in the day to day. You need to learn how to capture it, how to recall it and how to live life to the fullest.

Lately, I have been asked to share my story more than ever before and here are the three biggest things that I have learned from these times…

1. Have confidence.

It doesn’t matter where you have been or what you have been through.  Your story isn’t too small, or too inadequate or lacking. It’s perfect because it’s your story and your story alone. It is you, so you need to learn to tell it well. You need to decide how you want it to sound, look and feel. It helps to write down those points that you want to convey to the people around you.

Your story will impact others. 

2. Tell it enough times that it sounds normal.

The first few times that you tell your story, it will sound weird. I really don’t think you can get past that fact. Your huge dreams and aspirations alone will probably sound completely nuts as you say them out loud. So weird in fact, that you will want to take the words back as soon as you say them. That’s natural. As you tell it more often, you will start adding the good stuff and you will be more comfortable telling it as well.

Tell it more often and tell it well. 

3. Listen and learn from others.

Engaging with others’ stories is the other important part of this. What would your close relationships be like if you didn’t know where your friends and family have been? Honestly, that would be kind of weird. Without knowing a person’s background, it is really difficult to create a close relationship. Learn how to first ask to hear someone else’s story and then learn to listen closely. It will be the foundation for any good relationship.

Background helps create trust.

So with all this, remember that you and your story has a purpose. Remember that through relationships, you have a remarkable chance to make positive change and inspire others. Every person needs to be able to articulate where they have been and where they are going.

How comfortable are you with your story? Would you say that you share it often or keep it to yourself?

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Filed Under: Relationships

Adam Smith

I teach people how to have a greater impact through their work and their time. You can read more about me on my about page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin Padanyi says

    January 23, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Great post, Adam. I feel like the theme of stories has been coming up a lot in my readings. Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned about it.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      January 24, 2013 at 7:16 am

      It does seem like there’s a real focus on this and that is exciting. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  2. Robin Padanyi says

    January 23, 2013 at 12:29 pm

    Great post, Adam. I feel like the theme of stories has been coming up a lot in my readings. Thanks for sharing what you’ve learned about it.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      January 24, 2013 at 7:16 am

      It does seem like there’s a real focus on this and that is exciting. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
  3. Robin Lawrimore says

    January 23, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    As I was reading, I was thinking how great it is that we have stories to share and that I share mine. Then when I read “You can leave your story below” I didn’t know what to put in such a small space. Maybe I need to practice telling it more.

    In my writing I’m usually afraid I won’t have the right words or that I won’t be able to get my points across to the reader. I write anyway, mostly about what God is teaching me at the time. Thanks for the encouragement to continue.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      January 24, 2013 at 7:15 am

      Absolutely. It will come. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Robin says

    January 23, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    As I was reading, I was thinking how great it is that we have stories to share and that I share mine. Then when I read “You can leave your story below” I didn’t know what to put in such a small space. Maybe I need to practice telling it more.

    In my writing I’m usually afraid I won’t have the right words or that I won’t be able to get my points across to the reader. I write anyway, mostly about what God is teaching me at the time. Thanks for the encouragement to continue.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      January 24, 2013 at 7:15 am

      Absolutely. It will come. 🙂

      Reply
  5. PrincipledLady says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:41 am

    A willingness to be vulnerable helps others connect to us. Being willing to tell our story makes us a bit vulnerable. LOVE is the answer! Love your posts.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      April 30, 2013 at 7:50 am

      Absolutely. That’s good stuff!

      Reply
  6. PrincipledLady says

    April 30, 2013 at 7:41 am

    A willingness to be vulnerable helps others connect to us. Being willing to tell our story makes us a bit vulnerable. LOVE is the answer! Love your posts.

    Reply
    • Adam Smith says

      April 30, 2013 at 7:50 am

      Absolutely. That’s good stuff!

      Reply

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Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the new book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

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