Everything starts with a story. Stories powerfully connect us to others, and they hold the power to trigger imagination and empathy. People are more likely to remember your story than they are your bio, regardless of how impressive it is. Your stories not only humanize you; they provide others a glimpse of your authentic self.

You may be thinking, “I don’t have a good story to tell, and if I do share it, no one will care!” Everyone has a compelling story, and learning to leverage story is a powerful tool of influence. We have all spent hours preparing the ultimate 52-slide PowerPoint presentation with the goal of impressing others by conveying information, facts and figures. Although this can be important, influence is built when others relate to you and, as a result, trust you. Story is the vehicle to make that happen, providing a common experience that validates our past and helps us connect with others.

Not every story you tell yourself or others is helpful. Many times, we get stuck on continuous-looped stories that fail to serve us or inspire others. You have the ability to stop telling stories that don’t serve you well. And everyone can choose to become a great storyteller.

What story are you telling about yourself?