Based on her new book The Message of You, Judy speaks about the power and humor behind the stories that make up our lives –
and how anyone can use those stories to make a difference in other
people’s lives – including their own.
Share a story that made a difference in your life, or a story you shared that made a difference in another person's life, in the comments below!
Do you have a secret stash of dinner party stories, or stories you tell friends in a bar, or to entertain a date?
I'm talking about those stories that you know inside and out; the really good ones that people beg
you to tell over and over. And after you pretend to NOT want to - you
turn a tale loose and leave people laughing, crying -- or sitting in
amazement.
All good storytellers have these -- but what many don't realize is all the hidden value that a collection of stories with a common theme can have.
My speaking
students are often amazed to find out that their crazy boss stories,
the drunken family vacation stories, or the story of how they survived
an illness (or their childhood) often have a message that goes much
deeper than just entertaining a few friends. And, when they harness
that message, and frame it properly, it can be a message that businesses
will pay a lot to hear.
In the speaking class I'm teaching now, I have a student who works in the transit system. She has hilarious
stories about nightmare bus riders. And now she's putting a collection
of them together to create a fabulous speech about using humor to deal
with difficult people. Her speech is not only hysterical, but it's got
great on the nose content that would be of value not just
to bus drivers -- but to ANYONE who has to deal with the public. So
her potential audience would be ...hmm, let me see ...everyone?
Another student is an actress, with wonderful stories about auditioning for commercials. Appearing in over 200
commercials has made her an expert on how to interview to win and wow
all the audiences of your life. Once we framed what she knew with that
"just right" wording in that last sentence, she realized how valuable
her experience is -- not only for actors - but also for anyone who wants
to get a job, land a promotion, win over a jury, or just impress a date. (That would again be... everyone!)
We've all learned something
from our years on this planet. Even small day-to-day struggles of
overcoming obstacles and having success often have hidden treasure in
them that can be of value to others -- and that corporations and
organizations will pay to hear. I call that the "Message of You," and
when we share that message (whether we get paid or not), we all can make
a difference in someone else's life.
Are you ready to find your message?
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