A story is a story

I got a killer response to the email I sent the other day. I suggested you make a list of all the things people might say to themselves that prevent them from trying, keep them from going, or make them quit.

The idea is to show that you understand your audience’s problems, struggles, and experience — rather than just pushing your solution on them. When you can describe someone’s problem as well as, or even better than they can, they’ll assume you’ve got answers — that you can help.

So, you made the list and sent it out. Boom! Tons of responses came rolling in. Now you’re wondering, “What do I do next?”

Here’s the playbook:

Step 1: Categorize the obstacles

First off, take your list of negative self-talk examples and categorize them by theme. Look for common threads and break them into 5-10 categories. Here are some categories I used for my list:

• Self-Doubt and Inadequacy

• Fear of Failure

• Perfectionism

• Comparison with Others

• Overwhelm & Stress

• Fear of Judgment

• Technical Skills and Knowledge

Step 2: Identify stories that address the obstacles

After you’ve created the categories, you’re looking for stories and examples of how people (yourself and others) have addressed or surmounted the obstacles.

• [Overcoming] Self-Doubt & Inadequacy: Share a case study of someone who overcame their self-doubt and built a successful business.

• [Facing the] Fear of Failure: A story that normalizes failure as part of the learning process and shows how it’s essential for success.

Step 3: Write and share these stories

You don’t necessarily need to have your own stories. You can just as easily use a client or students’s story (with permission, of course). Or even a public figure or celebrity.

Anything that fits the purpose. A story is a story.

So, here’s your game plan:

• Review your list of negative self-talk examples.

• Categorize them by theme.

• Identify stories that address the obstacles.

• Write and share the stories.

Let me know what happens.