Be honest. If someone were to ask you “what’s your story?”, would you have an easy time answering? Most people wouldn’t. Although you may think you know yourself, what you value, and where you want to go in the future, knowing your story is not something that just happens organically. It is a process that takes a lot of time and self-reflection. However, the effort put into figuring it out will be well worth it in the end. Here are some ways that knowing your story can be beneficial:
1. You’ll learn about yourself.
Sometimes it’s hard to uncover what it is you believe, value and desire until you explore the “why” behind those aspects of your life. When you begin to look at the things you did in the past, along with what you do now, you’ll probably begin to notice some recurring themes that appear. Once you explore those themes deeper and consider the reasons why they are so prevalent in your life, you are likely to gain some insight on your core values.
2. You’ll find your voice.
When you reflect on your life and organize it into chapters, things will start to make a lot more sense. Taking the events, good and bad, that have occurred throughout your life and placing them into a story structure simplifies the complex nature of human experience. Although your major life events may not seem 100% connected as they sit in your head right now, you’ll be surprised at the themes you’ll find once you get these experiences out on paper. Once you have your story organized, you’ll be able to confidently go out and tell it.
3. You’ll inspire others.
People not only like to hear stories, they also are excellent at remembering them. When you tell your story to others around you, you have the power to teach, inspire and make a long-lasting impression. This can prove beneficial for creating both personal and professional connections with people in the world.
