Your story isn't a script

It's hard to tell your own story. Here's why treating it as a conversation will get you further.

“Sorry, I’m not really sure if I said that okay.”

That sentence follows 94%¹ of the responses I get to the prompt, “So tell me more about you and your business.”

It's hard for people to tell their story. Getting clarity on your own story is like trying to get clarity on your own backside: you lack the perspective to find the points of connection and simplicity that make your story (not your ass) sing. 

We tend to think of our story as a noun, a thing we draft and set like a script. This definition of story makes sense when you take a step back and look at how most of us understand the purpose of our story and how to create one. 

Most people think of their story as a way to sell. When experts talk about storytelling, they inevitably conjure up fantastic narratives. They’ll also break down those narratives into formulas you can follow to nail your story. Inevitably, Apple and the Hero’s Journey show up in the slide deck.

I appreciate that part of the reason you tell your story is to sell. I …