It is critical that any story you tell is highly relevant to your audience and that it has a point. But, at the same time, resist the temptation to spell out what the story means. Let your audience take their own meaning from it.
One of the things I teach my clients is that stories are co-creations. While you might think your story is about you – actually the person listening will inevitably reflect on their own life and see how your experiences and lessons relate to theirs.
Take La La Land for example (already one of my favourite films of all time!). For my husband, the message he took from the film was that the guy should have been more flexible and followed the girl and they could both have fulfilled their dreams.
My daughter took that sometimes a couple can do more for each other by taking separate roads than they can staying together.
And for my hairdresser (because you have to discuss these things when you’re getting your hair done) it meant that sometimes you have to let go of the people you love, to let them follow their passion.
There’s no right or wrong. Just our own interpretation. And, by allowing your audience to take ownership of your story’s meaning for themselves, it is far more likely to have an impact on them.
