6 Gates of Storytelling
For those who create what is worth sharing
This piece is meant for those have the desire to tell amazing stories about themselves, their brand, business or career but get confused by the ton of information about Storytelling online. I have a bad news. Endless research about storytelling everyday will not make you a storyteller. Practicing storytelling will move you from zero to 100 in a short while. These 6 distinct gates in storytelling will clear your confusion and give you the right launch into the world of expressing yourself and telling your stories.
1. The Gate of Uniqueness
Do not feel disturbed when your storytelling doesn’t look, sound, or read like others. People have different perspectives about storytelling. We understand it differently. We practice, deploy and approach it differently. It is one of the few art that we only know when we see or feel it. We can talk about how it is but it can't be restricted by the rails of theories and principles as long as we stick to its core which I have shared with you in my other materials. One of the best ways to determine if you’re telling effective stories is by the feedbacks you get from your audience not by looking over your shoulders or judging yourself by the content of others.
2. The Gate of Control
Learn how to tell stories by all means but there's a shape of the world, a perspective of life, and the smell of your ink that only you can describe. Storytelling gives you unbelievable control in a way that only you can tell what you see the way you can. It is more like a signature touch, characteristic charisma or your fingerprint. No one can effectively replicate that distinct, preserved style of delivery that you have mastered over time or growing into. My readers of over a decade knows how I write. They can detect the fragrance of my art even when it is shared on a different platform. And because it’s my style, I can spin the variables the way I want.
3. The Gate of Freedom
Storytelling is more about the freedom or permission you give yourself to describe life and art from your perspective. If you keep gazing at other people and fondling with their narratives. If you keep demeaning your style and drilling holes in it, you will never have the boldness and confidence to create yours. Check yourself frequently for logical intrinsic reasons you give yourself not to tell your stories that has become an habit. Weed out those reasons. In my experience, too many people feel their narrative don’t count. That its too unpopular, too basic, or lacks the strength to win in the ring of ideas. These folks are more than those who don’t have the skills. You’re the one telling yourself how unnecessary your stories are in the sea of other stories. You’re the one telling yourself to wait a little more, that it’s not yet time. You know all the other excuses. Get past this gate.
4. The Gate of Medium
Storytelling is not only about the story, it is also about the means(medium) available for you to tell it. Or the channels you are transmitting from. Everyone will use the resources available and the skills they're adept at. Some will use the canvas. Some will use songs. Others pencils, some videos some audio some writing etc Overestimating one means discourages other forms in which stories can be told or limits the appendages of stories. The ones we know and the medium that doesn't currently exist.
5. The Gate of Permission
If storytelling is about exploring your world. You must first believe that there is something worth exploring in your world . A narrative worth presenting to the world. An idea worth sharing. Colors worth displaying etc. Without this belief. No story will go out because their owners/curators will lock them within their insecurities and fear! If you reflect a bit, you will realize how you have denied yourself the permission to share freely without over judging yourself.
6. The Gate of Consumption
Chris Do, one of the most
online creators says in a recent interview said “when you consume enough with a particular kind of eye, you elevate your sense of taste and style” that is profound
One premium way to tell quality stories is to be a consistent consumer of other people's quality stories. You will bud the same seed you put in your mind. If you don't train your mind muscles with great stories. You will not develop the dexterity that produces quality stories. You rarely can tell amazing stories in a silo. You’ve got to check other people out and what they are doing with their narratives. The only fact that some are putting their stuff out will embolden you to put yours out too. You will find the conversation helpful.
What else do you want me to teach you about storytelling? Share in the comments or send a personal email to me so that I can cover it in subsequent piece.
Don’t forget to share this piece with your friends if its valuable enough. Have a great week and breakthrough from within!
Abiola Iyiola
Creative Director,
AI Leadership Consult
