An example of ‘Story’

In a time of change, the best way to get people to do something new is by inspiring them. And the best way to do that is with Story.

We’ve seen that any inspiring Story is built from seven basic building blocks:

• Speak with your own authentic voice
• Make it relevant for your audience
• Show them they have a problem
• Define the future you want to create
• Describe the higher principles, values, or ideals that this will bring to life
• Define the first steps and show that they are achievable
• Ask people to decide whether or not they will support you

And now, to see an example of what happens when we join these blocks together to form a Story, let’s invent one deliberately dull and boring sentence for each of the seven building blocks.

Let’s take extra care to make sure that each one on its own is tediously uninspiring and bland. Let’s say unexciting things like “We are facing a difficult situation” and “We have all the tools we need.”

Now let’s see what happens when we put all these dull building blocks together in a way that tells a Story:

“We are facing a difficult situation. It is unlike anything we have experienced before. But we come from a long line of people who have faced similar situations and overcome them. We can’t stay as we are, or go back to where we were: we have to move forward. And if we go in the direction I am suggesting then we have the opportunity to build something very special together. If we do this then we will be upholding our most important values and principles. We already have all the tools we need. The only question is: will you join us now to play your part for those who will come after?”

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Each of these sentences on its own is full, flat, and lifeless. But like your mother’s cooking or the recipe for gunpowder, combining these ingredients in the right amounts and the right order can create something that is inspiring and explosive!

If this can happen with the deliberately dull words I chose, just imagine the inspiration you could create with your Story.

Story is the best way to combine fact and emotion so that the listener turns the story into their own idea and experience. Story is the best way to inspire you, and the people around you, to long to make your project succeed. Story is another step to becoming antifragile.

What is the Story you are currently telling yourself and the people around you about where you now, where you are going, why, and how you are going to get there? What would happen if you told a more inspiring Story?