Tell Me a Story

When’s the last time you told a good story? Even if you can’t recall, there’s a good chance you’ve already told many of them today.

We often forget that most of our communication is done through the art of story telling. When we want to explain something or convince someone of an issue, we usually use a story to get our point across. A good story will usually give a listener an idea of the purpose behind the story even if the storytellers themselves don’t fully understand it. It is the best way of avoiding questions like “Why should I believe you?” or “What’s your point?”

The idea of storytelling applies to all forums of communication. When your boss asks you why you took one action instead of another, instead of standing dumbfounded, just tell them a good story of why you thought your action was the best at the time. When you are out on a date that seems to be going nowhere, tell a story to try and loosen up the atmosphere. If you are trying to sell a product to someone, tell them a story about how the product will benefit them instead of just explaining the features of that product. The situations are limitless. Telling a good story will almost always lead to better results.

When we look through the history of mankind, the most effective storytellers are usually the ones that leave a mark on history. For centuries, politicians have used stories to influence governing bodies into action. The authors of religions have effected the actions of mankind since the beginning of recorded history. Stories have helped people rise to power and also led to the downfall of others. It is no coincidence that this art plays a pivotal role in our world today.

Whenever you find yourself in a situation where you don’t know what to say or how to say it, just remember that a good story will usually get you to where you want to go.