The truth must smell as sweet.
Everyone loves a good story. One that would engage his eyes, his ears, his heart or win his trust or interest.
Reality TV, for example, has as its main draw interesting characters who are masterful storytellers that have amazing stories.
How many were not riveted when a blind home cook has earned the title of Master Chef?
(I think this is the reason why Gordon Ramsay et al chose her to be the winner despite the blah dishes (based on their comments) she presented – her story is irresistible – a cook who cannot see!)
While we are on food and chefs, did you ever wonder if the stories the Top Chef contestants tell when they present their dishes are true? Some are not (as some have confessed), but they tell them anyway because they know it is the story that makes their dishes interesting, piques the judges’ interest, lends another layer of flavor to their dishes, evokes emotion – and that emotional experience may get them across the line that says ‘winner’.
Consider these stories.
Before he was an elder statesman of charity, Bill Gates was a hard-charging thrill seeker. – ABC News
No investor is more closely watched and more imitated than Warren Buffett. Millions of investors, mesmerized by this man who has become a legend in his own time, seek to follow in his investing footsteps. – ABC News
Henry Sy Sr., 87, is the biggest retailer, the bigger banker, the undisputed richest Filipino, the rock star of entrepreneurship, and the quintessential rags-to-riches story. – Manila Times
They all have a great story to tell. Overcoming poverty, overcoming life’s challenges, emerging at the top of their game.
Now, post-recession, where jobs and opportunities go to the one who stands out – the relevance and importance of storytelling has come to the fore.
Everyone has a story. But is yours captivating enough?
It has to be.
It is your unique selling proposition, what makes you different from others, explains what makes you tick and do the great thing you do, explain your hunger, add a dimension to your character, makes you sellable, exciting. Through it, others can foretell what the future will hold for you (and hopefully they will have the urge to want to be a part of it too).
Others call it the elevator pitch.
The 5 minutes to sell one’s self.
What’s yours?
You should constantly develop it, however, push the envelope – by experiencing, constantly developing yourself, studying, getting out there, daring.
Of course, talent wins in the end – or intelligence, and ability. After all, one can only embellish so much before he is found out as a fraud (lesson: don’t be a fraud). But cunning through a masterfully crafted story gets a person in.
Craft yours now.
Article by Issa. Art by Danvic.
Copyright 2009-2012.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com
I still am figuring that out. sometimes I feel depressed because I still cannot figure it out. Or I am just too afraid to embrace what it really is. The fear of what other people would think, specifically my story is just too ordinary.
It is your fear talking, Didi. If it will make you feel better, forge on and continually improve on your story. But I already know your story, Didi. It is magnificent. Your passion for life and learning and experiencing make it so. But don’t let that stop you from making it more so (i know it will be more so). All the best.