Hey, what’s up?

Imagine you asking a colleague this question at the office and getting a very typical answer–oh the same old stuff; everyday work; nothing really new man, routine, what else; going on… 

How does it feel?

Do you really want to continue

the conversation with this colleague of yours? And if for whatever reason you have to, how long do you really want to continue?

And last but not least, what is the perception you have about this person?

Now let’s reverse roles. Imagine your colleague asking you the same question and you giving the same answer!

How would you be perceived? Would that be the right impression of you?

If you have answered this above question in negative, today I challenge you to change this scenario by mastering your stories.

The power of stories

We as humans have enjoyed stories from the beginning of time. Stories help us derive meaning. All businesses have a story that helps you connect with them. Once you connect with businesses on an emotional level, there is nothing more they need to do to have your loyalty. 

The very same applies to you as an individual.  The stories you share about yourself connects people with you. And that makes you have a larger influence on them.

As a matter of fact, storytelling in the world of today had become an essential life skill. It is an absolute must.

Master your stories

It isn’t easy.

But you must. To help you get started, I have tried to put it up in 7 simple steps you can take to master your stories, here –

Step # 1: Decide on what you should be known for

Remember the exercise you did yesterday? You combined your strongest skills to decide which problems you want to solve to create a big impact. (If you haven’t completed the challenge yesterday, click here to do so now.)

The area you focused on yesterday is an excellent starting point to help you figure out what you want to be known for.

Step # 2: Take a look at the project/task you have at hand

What is it you are currently working on? What are you really doing?

You need to do a bit of task analysis here.

What skills are required to be doing this task? Do you have the skills? What is it that you can do, to do it better?

Seek answers to these questions and write them down.

Step # 3: Look at the bigger picture

It’s time to dig deeper and find out why are you doing the task you are doing?

Of course, one of the most obvious reasons is going to be–because your manager asked you to do so! But then you need to think beyond this.

What happens as a result of you doing this task? Where does it fit into the larger scheme of things? How does this task impact the larger project? What could go wrong with the project, if the task you are doing is not done as required? How does the client benefit?

These questions will get you, your ‘why’ identified, and look at the big picture.

Step # 4: Identify of your role

When you have seen the bigger picture, it’s time to identify where you fit in, in the larger scheme of things. 

Welcome to the realization that you are not just doing a small task, you are actually doing something much bigger and better.

Write it down.

Step # 5: Choose the right words

Make use of the best words to combine your findings from step # 3 and 4, to form a crisp statement that you can now confidently tell the world.

The idea is not to be verbose here.

Remember the golden rule–you need to speak, to express and not to impress. Be precise, to the point, and craft one statement that describes your role in achieving the larger project’s or your client’s objective.

This is your short and sweet, crisp but powerful – story! This one sentence has the power to make your colleagues strike a chord with you.

Step # 6: Rehearse 

Practice saying the statement to yourself.

If you are convinced about its impact, practice speaking in front of your close friends. Get to know their opinion.

Make changes if necessary.

Step # 7: Say it often

Now go all out at keep sharing your story as often as possible. Find avenues and opportunities to say it. Keep saying it often.

However, don’t go overboard. Be wise and observant to know when it fits in and when it doesn’t.

Say hello to the new you

The next time when a colleague asks you, “Hey, What’s up?”; consider saying–
“I am helping the organization do a million-dollar business.”
“I am contributing to the success of my organization.”   
“I am on a mission to find novel ways to better the project and complete it before time.”
“I am coaching my team for a 10x performance”

Take your pick. Come back to share your experience with me in the comments below.

And if you ever feel the need for my help, write to me at amit@designyourcareer.co or schedule a no-cost strategy session at www.designyourcareer.co/strategysession