As a published author [so far of my own first book], I’ve always been fascinated by the art and function of storytelling.
The art of storytelling is one of the oldest forms of communication that bridges cross-cultural and language-use differences.
Writing this Blog as I am in January 2022, “living in The Digital Age” offers us the widest range of technologies to facilitate story telling. The latest version of Instagram software, for example, features ‘story reels’. The LinkedIn software platform affords an opportunity for story telling through video production and use.
One of the greatest privileges that I experience through my own work is in actively listening and bearing witness to the stories that my clients tell me.
What is the story that you are telling others and is it the story that you want to be telling?
This Seasonal Holiday time of year that falls between American Thanksgiving, British Christmas and Chinese New Year is traditionally one for reflection and I want to encourage you to reflect on the story that you would like to write for your own life and career this year. Imagine a blank canvas onto which you are creating this next phase of your life and work.
We each tell our unique stories in many ways and there are many different functions of storytelling to be mindful of, for example:
Counselling: asking for support
Interviewing: demonstrating the competencies necessary to get a job
LinkedIn: professionally showcasing your career experience and branding
Marketing: promoting services and products for a particular reason/focus
Who are you telling your story to and in which ways? Are these the right ways or will it be helpful for you to tell your story differently. Your story is a form of self-branding/marketing so it is helpful to know and consider your audience, both the audience that you already know and the new ones that you would like to find.
“We are the stories that we tell. What is the story for your life and career that you wish to create and experience?
Wishing you and your loved ones good health, success and happiness from my own home to yours, however that is best defined for you in the New Year.