The five elements you need to tell your personal story
All stories follow a simple structure; there’s a beginning, a middle, and an end. Within that are a few common characteristics. Keeping those front of mind makes for better personal storytelling.
Protagonist. You are the protagonist of your personal story. For any story to work, the protagonist must be someone we can relate to.
Catalysts. Something important to you is at stake. In your personal story you’ll find your catalysts by reflecting on the crucial moments, comments and events in your life that have shaped you (as plotted on your Life Map).
Obstacles. We’re not Mary Poppins. We don’t snap our fingers and have everything go our way. We face frustrations, barriers and obstacles.
People want to know ‘what happened next’. What it is that’s challenged us in becoming who we are today.
Crossroads. In every story there’s a point of no return. It’s a moment of self-discovery where the protagonist no longer sees or does things as they did before. In your personal story this turning point is your perspective, your insight, your sense making of what’s happened.
Resolution. Your personal story is not a fairy tale. Sometimes protagonists succeed, sometimes they fail, the key is to remain authentic and honest.
An example of a well know personality with a personal story that reflects highs and lows is Richard Branson:
Bailing out his hot-air balloon, the Virgin Atlantic Flyer, and into the Atlantic (low)
Virgin Atlantic and succeeding as David against a Goliath industry (high)
Embracing his dyslexia as a strength (high), and
Most recently, Virgin Orbit’s failed space launch (low).
Life evolves, self-discovery continues, and your personal story changes.
Adapted from Herminia Ibarra and Kent Lineback’s ‘Key Elements of a Classic Story’ contained within HBR’s article ‘What’s Your Story’, January 2005 – an excellent read for anyone telling a story of major career change.
February 2023
This blogpost is part of a three-part series on telling our personal story. Head over to the other parts:
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