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Go from Boring Coach to Captivating Thought Leader with Stories that Come to Life

May 20th, 2015 | 14 comments

Stories touch people like nothing else.

Stories – real, true tales that reach the heart – can create an instant rapport and likability between you and your audience, and even captivate them into a full-on love fest over you and your message.

But we all know there’s an art to storytelling, and spinning yarns that reel in raving fans!

So you’re probably wondering: how can I learn to tell my stories so they come to life too?

Let’s figure that out together in today’s episode! Just press PLAY!

If you’ve been a part of my tribe for any length of time, you probably know I’m a huge musical theater nerd. When I was 5 years old, my grandma took me to audition for “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”, and that was that.

What could be better than people in beautiful costumes with elaborate sets and lights telling stories through song and dance?

I was hooked after my first live show and spent the next 20 years studying the art of performing live on stage.

Now, as a coach, I realize thought leaders can learn a lot from Broadway.

In today’s episode, I share with you a few storytelling tips I learned along the way, to help your stories come to life too.

You’ll learn 4 easy ways to expand your credibility, tap into your message, and breathe sweet life into your stories!

And after you’ve watched the video, the real connection and sisterhood happens in the comments section below!

Tell us a story in writing, and make it come to life.  

You can tell us about anything you want, but let’s stick to something positive. Do you have a story about love? Synchronicities? Achievements? Favorite memories or anything that will lift up our spirits today?

And, as always – if you loved this video, and know someone who could use a boost to their storytelling talents, share it with ‘em on Facebook!

Did you get the bonus give that came in the email with today’s post?

I shared the story of how I booked my first Broadway show using some of the techniques I shared in today’s video!

Not on the list yet? You should climb aboard! I give gifts almost every week to those of you who subscribe to my email tribe.

I don’t include these anywhere else online, so if you are not on my email list and you want these fierce resources, drop your name and email into the opt-in below now so you don’t miss all future goodies.

Let’s hop down to the comments and share our stories. 🙂 See you there!

 

Jey
 

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14 people have commented
  1. Love this video, Jey! What great reminders for us to share more of our authentic selves with our audience to create deeper connection. My story today goes a little something like this …

    Do you ever had one of those moments when you just know in your heart of hearts that something is meant to be?

    Last week, I was taking a walk with my partner along the beautiful beach near Rosarito, Mexico. Just a little way into our walk, we came across two dogs frolicking in the sand and waves together. They were having so much fun! They continued to run and play with us all the way down the beach and back. When we returned to where we started with them, one dog got called back home and the other one didn’t.

    He just looked at us with those big brown eyes as if he was asking, “Where to next?”

    We made our way back to the house we were staying at with this big beautiful dog at our heels (or running a few feet ahead looking back to make sure we were still there).

    Long story, short (or not as long as it could be)—we eventually put him back on the beach and I told my partner, Michael, if we see that dog again tomorrow before we leave, it’s meant to be.

    Well, we saw him the next morning. It was as if he was there waiting for us at the entrance to the neighborhood. We later picked him up from the vet where we received his good bill of health and some other details about him. Now, we are happy owners of a new family member that is simply the most handsome and well-behaved dog I’ve ever met.

    And, even though the timing was not at all ideal (we just moved out of our home and were embarking on a multi-month road trip through Mexico), I just knew in my heart of hearts and gut of guts that this dog was meant to be a part of our lives.

    The End.

  2. What a beautiful synchronistic turn of events Amanda! Your dog will be your guiding angel and you will feel more love than ever before from your new family member! My heart just burst reading your story. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Hi Jey,

    I like your video thanks for the helpful information….

    MY story could have the name how positive energy attracts positive energy…

    I would like to share my story from yesterday afternoon. I have joined laughter yoga classes in Cologne Germany – 3 hours – called Funky Saturday. 3 hours laughing, breathing and playing like a child.

    When you are laugh you are fully in the moment no thinking – remember one minute laughing is exhausting as 10 minutes of jogging… 300 muscles will be used at the same time – Wow what kind of exercise I did..

    And the best after three hours you are full of positive energy I could have embraced the whole world… I felt so grateful, light, calm, relaxed and playful and free like a little child….

    After the course I bought a present. There was this lovely shop assistant… she has a shinning face. She was wearing a pink blouse which fits fantastically to her pink lipstick color. As I told her she was looking great she was smiling all over her face… even more as before… thanks…

    On my way home and with my excellent and fantastic mood I was just smiling at a man … he was asking me “he girl where are you going…” I just passed by and was smiling even more… thanks

    The tramp for going home was quite full .. and right in front of me was sitting a couple. I haven’t seen just a couple since a long time… both were in their sixties… and they had huge laughter wrinkles around their eyes.. they were treating and touching each others like teenagers .. pet the knees, the shoulders the face.. and were smiling and laughing all the time when the were talking to each other respectfully and friendly … I felt so grateful for them… thanks

    … so I will continue doing laughter yoga to attract even more happiness in my life…

    have a happy day…

  4. Thanks for the great bonus video for Captivate Training, Jey!

    I had a funny story to share. In addition to building my Career coaching business, I’m attempting to pursue an acting and singing career.
    I was lucky enough to land an agent! My agent sent me to an audition for an HVAC company. It was a blustery spring day. I dressed warmly and made sure to wear my best wig. (I have my hair naturally cut short and wear wigs to be more marketable). This wig is about 3 years old. I wear it everywhere. So it was the perfect accessory for the audition.
    I showed up to the audition dressed to the nines. Wig perfect. Boots sassy. Makeup flawless. The audition went pretty well. As I was walking out of the building as confident and assured of myself a huge gust of wind popped up and almost blew the wig right off my head. I almost literally lost my head! LOL! I stood outside the building laughing at myself! Then I looked down and one of my boots had unzipped and was almost falling off. Here I thought I was dressed to kill and I looked like a hot mess! I’m so glad I wore some extra confidence that day and that the camera’s weren’t on during my exit. I snuck around the corner of the building and pulled my wig off and threw it in my bag. I walked home, bald headed and bold. Laughing all of the way. Sometimes it’s good to laugh at yourself and not take life so seriously.

    • Joyel I witness this unveiling as a beautiful invitation to be your authentic self everywhere and always. I can just imagine the cosmic joke you were experiencing here. I am looking forward to seeing you take the stage at Captivate as YOU. No wig, no boots. Barefoot and bald would be PERFECT.

      xoxo
      Jey

  5. Last Tuesday I had hip surgery. I am only 44 years old and had to have a bi-lateral hip impingement surgery to remove excess bone and to cut out shredded labrum. I had no idea of the pain I would undergo and or the upcoming physical therapy so I was open to new ideas. I found hypnotherapy meditation sessions on mp3’s for before and after surgery and started it the day before surgery and have been listening to the after since. I have to say that since coming home I have not had any pain killers. I also am in feeling so much better than anticipated and I will be off crutches in a few more days. I had my doubts before using hypnotherapy meditation tapes before but after my experience now I would recommend them to everyone. Had I not been out of my comfort zone I would not have been up to trying something new and I am so glad I did. I think sometimes we forget or even just get used to what we know in life and we forget that there is so much more to learn..I am glad for this experience and the lesson’s I have learned..growth can be slightly painful but that is where the fun of learning can take us to the next level of our journey.I am glad to be apart of this captivate training and I am more open than ever to this experience..Thank you for this learning platform!

    • I love this so much Angelia! I had this same experience while learning hypnobirthing during pregnancy. I thought I knew so much about the mind and meditation and found hypnobirthing to be a new experience for me. Then again, going into labor and seeing how circumstances change what we think we know and how well we know it. I receive from your story the knowing that there is always beauty, no matter our wisdom, in returning to become the student in some form of our lives.

      Love you dear sister and sending deep healing for you after your surgery as it seems you are doing so well!

      xoxo
      Jey

  6. I was living in Massachusetts, working for the government, and holding a part time job at a gift shop. It was Valentine’s Day and I had volunteered to work as I wasn’t in a relationship at the time. So, after working all day at my desk job, I went to the gift shop to wrap flowers and help shoppers with their gifts.

    On this day, the weather forecast called for snow. Snow fall always worried me when I had to drive in it. I lived in a house in a neighborhood that had a fairly steep hill at the entrance. And even though I had a front-wheel drive car, there were times when I couldn’t make that hill…and plenty of other times when I slipped & slid all the way up. Business was really slow that night because heavy snow was falling making travel on the roadways difficult. About a half-hour before my shift was due to end, my manager let me go home. And because there were a lot of unsold flowers, she sent me home with a bouquet.

    Driving home in the snowy dark, I didn’t know what I’d find. But the drive was so peaceful. Heavy snowfall seems to blanket the world in silence. Arriving at my neighborhood, I was so grateful that I made it up the hill, but that was short-lived. We had 10 inches of snow on the ground, but the snowplows that enabled me to conquer the hill, had filled up my driveway with over 3 feet of snow at the entrance. In New England, it’s illegal to park on the street during and after snowfall. So what to do with my car? The only option was to clear space in my driveway.

    Leaving my car on the street, the first challenge was getting in the house. I had to run through knee deep snow, down my very steep driveway to reach the garage… and a snow shovel. Then back up to the top, through the snow trying to step in the same footprints. Get moving, girl! Fill the shovel, walk to the left, toss on the pile…fill the shovel, walk to the right, toss on the pile…repeat, repeat, repeat. More than an hour later, I had a spot just big enough to back my car into. Whew! I ended the night very proud of my accomplishment, drinking a cup of hot chocolate, and admiring my Valentine’s day flowers.

    • Pam; are attitude can make or break us. I am glad you embraced the mind shift and went with it. Sometimes all we have to do is go with the flow..and let go of our expectations. Because when we do we find ourselves stronger and wiser for having done it..Thanks for sharing.

  7. Life is ever a interplay of shadow and light and the best that you can do is say yes to it – all of it. I remember a time, drunk, high, and at a party, the man I was heart-achingly in love with asked out another girl (on the phone, in my presence). I literally went and hid inside a closet. I had thoughts like: the world is a better place without me. Worse yet, I believed it. Scared by the enormity of what I was thinking, terrified by where my own mind was traveling, I knew only one thing: I needed to get out of that closet and get help. I went to the only people I trusted to love me out of that darkness: my parents. We sat up late, drinking herbal tea with dollops of honey while I sobered up. In the bright light of sobriety, my thoughts lost their crazy edge, but my emotions still waged a war within me. And my parents? They talked me through the whole thing and sat with me all night. They were the bright stars, tiny pinpricks of light, on a dark, dark night, and I am grateful.

    If that’s were you’re at, just remember: even the darkest of nights have access to illumination. Find the stars, find the moon, focus on that, and let it be the light guiding you through onto a brighter day. It works: promise.

  8. When I listened to this video, I was instantly reminded of the day I failed. No, it wasn’t actual failure but that’s sure how it felt when my alarm clock went off at 5:45am and I couldn’t move from my bed, my mom came in at 5:50am to get me up, she returned again at 6:00am and that wasn’t too unusual. I would often fall back asleep between her coming in. But when she returned at 6:15am and I still wasn’t up, she was displeased and again prompted me, at 6:30am she repeated until she relented at 6:45am taking my brother to school.

    My mom returned and came right to my room to apologize. Who’s mother apologizes for yelling at their child for not getting up. The truth is I was obsessed with school and never missed a day, I would hide sicknesses from my parents to be allowed to attend school so she came and apologized. Still I would not get up. It took me an hour to work up the courage to get out of my bed, something that I had been doing for the past 14 years but that morning I couldn’t do it. There was paper on the floor around my desk and I thought the paper was going to attack me if I put my feet on the floor. I knew it was crazy but yet I was terrified and frozen to my bed. When I did work up the courage to leave my bed I made the fastest exit I could through my sister’s room and closed the door so the paper monster couldn’t escape.

    This was the reason I was diagnosed with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. The day I was diagnosed, I was ashamed and didn’t want my parents to know. I hid my diagnosis for 6 years before I finally told my mom and 2 years later was able to tell my dad. I was ashamed to have a diagnosis, I had never been officially diagnosed with anything. I had been treated for anxiety and depression but no one had ever given me the diagnosis and I didn’t want to believe that was me. 10 years since then and I am able to accept and educate people about OCD. I feel much freer now that I am comfortable being who I am and recognize that OCD is only a part of who I am. I also know that it will always be part of me and it will never go away completely but I can learn to live with it.

  9. I fought back the tears. I thought about the things I could do to ‘cheer up’. I was overwhelmed with feelings of loneliness. It was a beautiful Saturday in spring, and I was miserable. No one loved me. I had no friends to spend my day off with. I felt shame because I thought I was ‘supposed to be happy’. After all I was a coach who supported others in their life struggles. How could I be of help when I felt so miserable? The day ended and I felt a bit better. Yet……I had recurring times of sadness and suffering. Then I went for a walk in the woods. I had heard about the healing experience of ‘hugging a tree’. The trees were too small. The path was too wide. Why would I do something so silly? Then, there it was. A tall, strong, straight maple tree right by the trail. I stopped and moved close to the trunk. I encircled the tree and laid my cheek against the bark. I breathed deeply and stood still as a statue. Then I heard it. A whirring noise. A loud beating of wings. I froze. What was it? I opened my eyes and peeked sideways. What a gift presented itself! A hummingbird hovering in the air right beside me. It stayed in my vision as I breathed in the beauty of this little visitor. Then it flew off and I noticed the tears in my eyes. I know this was meant to be. A message from Mother Nature just when I needed it. I said goodbye to my tree and continued my walk. All day I felt light and joyful. Later, I researched the symbolic meaning of the hummingbird. I laughed as I read the words: playful, Joyful, Resilient, Adaptable and able to complete the task. Hummingbirds often migrate over 2000 miles and so are a symbol of tenacity and perseverance. I am bathed in a deep awareness of the synchronicity of my life!

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