As some of you may know, I was a newspaper journalist for a decade early in my professional career. I learned so much about a multitude of subjects and I often told people jokingly that I was knowledgeable about many things and an expert in nothing.
Over the years, I have gained some expertise in certain areas, but I realize that there is so much more that I need and want to learn. To that end, I nourish my curious mind by reading fervently. I also love talking to people and finding out more about their lived experiences.
Recently, I was at a dinner with with some of my board members as we welcomed an out of town guest who wanted to learn more about our organization, Goodwill Industries of East Texas.
Our guest was an interesting person who told us a little about himself, including his family structure and his hobbies. He then asked us to each share a bit about ourselves. We all followed suit and it led to a fun and interesting evening of getting to know each other beyond the "career or professional" titles. He also asked why we each chose to serve the organization in the way we do.
Our guest, like me, was a former journalist, so it's no surprise that the rest of our time together was filled with storytelling. It reminded me of my time as a journalist and how important it is for people to share their stories.
Telling your story, whether it's to a friend, a group of people, in a blog or book, requires you to be extremely open and vulnerable. It also requires a bit of curiosity and genuine interests on the part of your audience.
So why is it important? It's important because each story or experience has the power to build bridges and tear down walls. Your story can do the opposite as well, depending on how the story is received. Nonetheless, I encourage you to tell the stories of your life, your experiences, your family history, and your culture.
How can you do this?
Start by talking to a trusted friend or colleague, if your nervous or shy about talking about yourself.
Try journaling to get your thoughts on paper. You can journal daily, weekly or whenever you feel like it. There's no perfect formula, just do what works for you.
Record your story. You can do this on the recording app on your cell phone or computer, you can ask someone to interview you, again a trusted friend, family member or colleague, who will honest with out about your delivery.
If you have a really engaging or interesting story to tell, start a blog or podcast, or consider writing a book or joining a group of people in a collaborative writing project like I did. Thirty professionals each wrote their stories of struggle, triumph and resilience in the just released book, "Against All Odds" co-authored with Lisa Nichols, which quickly made the Amazon Best Seller's List!
Your story may be what others need to hear to help them on their journey. So don't be shy, start talking, writing, recording and sharing. It has the power to help build your career, your business, and your connections.
People want to know who they are partnering with, whether the person is connected to a for profit venture, a not for profit organization, a social club or community project. Your story needs to be heard and read, so get to it. Your area of expertise, your industry, your culture, your history and your family are all waiting to be shared.
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