Master the art of story.
How?
By facing the SINGLE most important question of our time.
The same question I was faced with after dodging bullets at 11 years old...
Thread ↓
How?
By facing the SINGLE most important question of our time.
The same question I was faced with after dodging bullets at 11 years old...
Thread ↓
I heard 14 'pops' and saw everybody run.
So I ran too.
When I got inside...
So I ran too.
When I got inside...
I looked out the window.
I saw a guy on the ground.
And I heard a lady yelling...
I saw a guy on the ground.
And I heard a lady yelling...
"Is anyone else hit?"
People were crying.
Some were urging him to "Breathe" and "Hold on".
People were crying.
Some were urging him to "Breathe" and "Hold on".
I didn’t know him.
But...
But...
I knew who shot him.
And I was confused.
Because the shooter seemed like a GOOD guy.
And I was confused.
Because the shooter seemed like a GOOD guy.
He gave all the kids my age high fives and "stay in school" speeches.
Why would he do this to another man?
This is going to sound strange—but...
Why would he do this to another man?
This is going to sound strange—but...
The guy was wearing the wrong color in the wrong neighborhood.
That's it.
That's the reason.
Accept...
That's the reason.
Accept...
This wasn’t about color.
It's NEVER about color.
No...
It's NEVER about color.
No...
This was about the story attached to the color.
All throughout history...
All throughout history...
Smart people have given their lives to defend stupid ideas.
Why?
Why?
Because these ideas were communicated clearly.
That's the power of story:
That's the power of story:
It brings clarity.
And we cling to what we can understand.
Not always what's reasonable.
And we cling to what we can understand.
Not always what's reasonable.
Story is a tool — like any other.
Anyone can tell a story.
BUT...
Anyone can tell a story.
BUT...
Few take the time to master it.
So why should you?
Well...
So why should you?
Well...
If you're on Twitter — you're building a brand.
Great brands are built on stories.
The better the story...
Great brands are built on stories.
The better the story...
The more valuable the brand.
It's that simple.
But let's take it a step further...
It's that simple.
But let's take it a step further...
Humans label things:
•Black
•White
•Rich
•Poor
•Smart
•Stupid
•Black
•White
•Rich
•Poor
•Smart
•Stupid
We wrap these labels into a system — labels upon labels.
We call it "ideology".
Then…
We call it "ideology".
Then…
We organize THAT a certain way and call it a story.
And when we share it...
And when we share it...
This story allows people to understand old things in new ways.
On the other hand...
On the other hand...
Stories become traps.
When is a story a trap?
When is a story a trap?
When a worldview becomes a rule to be enforced onto others.
Tell me...
Tell me...
How can you master the art of story while being trapped in someone else's story?
You can't.
•Masters know that all words are made up.
•Masters see beyond labels.
•Masters can adjust to any worldview.
This is freedom.
So...
•Masters know that all words are made up.
•Masters see beyond labels.
•Masters can adjust to any worldview.
This is freedom.
So...
How do you escape the trap?
And how do you master the art of story?
And how do you master the art of story?
It comes down to one question.
And it's the SINGLE most important question of our time.
And it's the SINGLE most important question of our time.
You may not be able to answer it...
But if you can wrap your head around it — you're on your way.
But if you can wrap your head around it — you're on your way.
And no one can answer this question for you.
This is for you alone.
The question is...
This is for you alone.
The question is...
Who are you without the labels?
That's the thread.
I'm on a lifelong journey to answer that question for myself — and master the art of story.
I tweet about:
•Story as a lens
•Story as a craft
•And Story as a business function.
I'm on a lifelong journey to answer that question for myself — and master the art of story.
I tweet about:
•Story as a lens
•Story as a craft
•And Story as a business function.
Retweet the first tweet and challenge the rest of Twitter to become masters of their own story.
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