"Once Upon a Time..." Some of our best childhood memories start with these words. We know that children love stories. But sometimes we forget that "big kids" still learn best from stories, too. Stories are often one of the very best ways to get your key points remembered. Great speakers are also great storytellers. Sometimes when you are creating a speech it's hard to come up with the perfect story to illustrate just the right point. That's when a story file comes in very handy. It saves time and energy to look through a list of stories rather than to try to think of one from scratch.
Abraham Lincoln was a master at using stories, especially self-deprecating stories, to make his points during speeches and conversations. Lincoln knew that stories make it much easier for the audience to remember your points. He also used stories to make fun of himself. When you tell a story about something dumb or silly that you did you are letting the audience know you are a real person, not a "stuck up" personality using the stage to brag about yourself.
So how do you come up with these great stories? What if nothing really interesting has ever happened to you? First of all, your stories don't have to be the equivalent of sawing off your own arm to stay alive in the wilderness. Stories can be very commonplace events. It might be just a conversation you had with a clerk at a grocery store. The power of stories comes in the way you use them to illustrate your points. It's impossible for the audience to remember everything you say in your speech. Their retention goes up dramatically when you tie those points to stories. Stories are much easier to remember.
What's the process you use to create a story file? There is no set format, just do it in the way that works for you. You can just have slips of paper stuffed into a file folder. You can use a journal to record your stories. You can set up a computer file and type them in as you remember them. A friend who's an engineer set his story file up as an Excel spreadsheet. Use what's comfortable for you. The important part is to start writing your stories down. Your story file will become invaluable to you.
I have a journal that is dedicated just to recording stories. When a memory pops into my head, I write it down right away. Writing it down quickly is the most important part. Don't worry about how you'll use the story or whether it's even relevant- just jot it down. The more stories you have, the more helpful your story file will become. You'll find that one story will remind you of another story. Just write them all down.
Warning: Don't tell yourself, "Oh, I'll remember it later," when an idea comes to you. You probably won't remember it later. In most cases you only have about 45 seconds to get your memory written down or recorded before it slips away.
How do you dig into your memory for your initial story files? You can use memory-jogging words. You can go through a particular period of your life (for example: when your family lived in the country and you attended a school that was a 60 minute bus ride away.) However you do it, allow time for your thoughts to incubate. Once the memory juices start flowing more memories will appear, often events you haven't thought about for decades.
In addition to your own stories, you can also use the stories of friends and family. My brother was a wonderful source of stories because he was the family rebel. Always credit the appropriate person for your stories. Don't claim other people's stories as your own.
I have one section of my journal where I write down a phrase that helps me remember a particular story. Then I take stories I know I want to use soon and write them out in as much detail as possible. Underneath I add ways I could use this story and ideas for where it might be a good fit.
Stories can also be about the experiences of others. I have a story about how a 3rd grade teacher made Stevie Wonder feel special for the first time. Check newspapers and other print sources. Just remember to cite the source. Your personal stories are usually your best source because they are unique to your own experience and won't be used by the speaker who talks right before you. Some speakers, however have created highly successful careers by talking about the life and experiences of someone else.
In order to make your story file as useful as possible you will need to organize your stories in some way. Create categories that fit your needs. You can organize them by type of story such as: humorous. poignant, a lesson learned, painful, joyful. You may also have stories that are geared for particular groups such as bankers, teachers, parents, managers, etc. Organize them according to whatever is most convenient for you.
When using stories in your speeches, keep a couple of things in mind. Normally, your stories should be short and simple. And make sure your stories are always related to the topic. If the audience doesn't see the relevance, the power of the story is wasted.
Don't wait another day to start your story file. The very first time you use it, you'll thank me!
Barbara is a professional speaker, seminar/workshop presenter, staff development trainer with 32 years of classroom experience. She is the current president of FACCMasters Toastmasters Club in Colorado.
Her book, A Teacher's Book of 10s: Best ways to Do Everything in Your Classroom, will be published in the spring of 2011.
Contact Barbara at http://www.barbaratoney.com
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