In Marketing, the word storytelling gets tossed around a lot where many companies have their own unique brand images. Many employers seek creative storytellers to “write more chapters” in a company’s “book.” But I’m not writing this blog to tell you how important storytelling is to land your next marketing position. Yes it is very important to know how to convey your skillset and ideas to company recruiters, but storytelling is so much more than that.
I’m currently in the midst of finishing up one of the most pivotal chapters of my life, my “academic chapter.” This chapter has been filled with many amazing memories, countless downfalls, and most importantly, an abundance of growth. When I read this chapter of my life 5, 10, even 50 years from now, I want to feel like I wrote an amazing chapter during this time. And if I feel like this chapter wasn’t interesting, inspiring, or even worthwhile at all, there is really no one to blame but myself. Luckily, no matter how bad I may think this chapter is in the future, I’m still the storyteller and I will continue to have the ability to write better chapters later down the line.
Your story is the legacy you leave behind on the world, and you’re the protagonist of it; and when you realize that you’re the protagonist of your story, nothing can stop you from accomplishing your life goals. Tell a story that you’re proud of and MAke the most of your life. Storytelling isn’t just about the ability to write a 600-page novel or being a creative marketer for a successful corporation. Storytelling is about conveying who you truly are, allowing the protagonist to grow into their fullest potential.
The most powerful person in the world is the story teller. The storyteller sets the vision, values, and agenda of an entire generation that is to come -Steve Jobs
Personally, the idea of my story turning out bad is one of the biggest fears in my life; this is why I believe storytelling is so important. As the protagonist of my story, I’m not saying that out of the 7+ billion people in the world, everything revolves around me. I just want the protagonist to give back and have a positive impact on the world before the story ends, whether that may be on a worldwide scale or on a smaller, more personal level. Be great at what you strive to do, actively inspire others around you, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, love yourself.