Craig Harrison s. Homegrown Humor. Prospecting Your Past To Find Your Own Humorous Stories

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1 Craig Harrison s Homegrown Humor Prospecting Your Past To Find Your Own Humorous Stories Homegrown's all right with me, homegrown is the way it should be, Homegrown is a good thing, plant that bell and let it rain. Neil Young

2 Table of Contents The Case For Telling Your Stories... 1 Some Types of Stories for Speakers... 2 Honing In On Your Stories Prospecting Your Past... 5 Crafting Your Story... 6 Universal Truths and Story Themes... 7 Two Story Spines... 8 RESOURCES: Storytellers PEG Additional Resources About Craig Harrison ACTION PLAN i Craig@HackinBoo.com

3 The Case for Telling Your (Own) Stories Premise: We ve already heard others stories and they can tell theirs better than you. Yet you have stories nobody else has. And you re the best one to tell your stories. Conclusion: Your greatest gift to audiences is to share yourself through your (own) stories! 1. You have stories. They re there, in your past. You just need to rediscover them. 2. Your stories can be life altering in scope, or short, simple and modest in scope. Each has value for listeners. 3. Universal truths and archetypes may be embedded in your stories, which help you reach, teach, touch and build trust with listeners. 4. Time and perspective allow you to review past experiences with fresh and wise eyes. New learning points will emerge from past experiences. 5. Tragedy + Time = Comedy. Painful experiences become humorous over time 6. Secrets to finding funny material in your past: look for instances where THINGS WENT WRONG! YOU WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME: YOU PUT YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH: MISUNDERSTANDINGS OCCURRED: THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENED: YOU WERE A FISH OUT OF WATER: 1 (510)

4 Types of Stories for Speakers Signature Story: Success Story: Archetypal story: It s yours, like your signature! It s the foundation of your presentation. You re known for it. It s usually longer than several minutes. It is powerful or profound, meaningful and memorable. May be funny, serious, sad, significant. Culled from your personal experience. A short story, case study or testimonial. Effective with audiences, in meetings and with prospects. The Hero s Journey, stories of Tricksters, Magicians and Healers are familiar themes for us they resonate on a deep level with people all around the world. (Read Craig s article Told to Sold for more on this topic: Illustrative Story: Folk Tales: Third Party Stories: Apocryphal: A story used to punctuate a point. May be told before or after the learning point. Can be short (30-seconds to 2 minutes). Traditional. Have many variations. Vary by culture. Each may have its own rules or ethics for telling. Attribution appropriate. Do you have permission to tell? Especially if it s personal or sensitive in nature, it s important to get prior approval, and cite source when telling (assuming source desires credit.) Beware the Starfish story, Lighthouse story or Rocks in the Jar story if at all possible. They re overexposed. Be original. Yet, The Carpenter story and others persist for a reason. They re evergreen. 2 Craig@HackinBoo.com

5 Honing In On Your Stories A FIRST for Humor FIRST TIMES offer a natural place to look for humor! And, everyone can relate. Your first day at school: First overnight at camp: First pimple: Your first girlfriend / boyfriend: First kiss: First breakup: First beer / tobacco chew / mixed drink: Your first trip overseas: Your first job: First time you saw your partner: Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 3 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

6 Honing In On Your Stories continued Your first wife / husband: Your first million: Your first audit: Your first arrest: THINGS WENT WRONG! YOU WERE IN THE WRONG PLACE, WRONG TIME: YOU PUT YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH: MISUNDERSTANDINGS OCCURRED: THE UNEXPECTED HAPPENED: YOU WERE A FISH OUT OF WATER: Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 4 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

7 Prospecting Your Past What do you speak about? What is your name? Where were you born? What position in the family are you? (Only child, oldest of _, middle, etc.) Where did you grow up? Was your childhood happy, sad, lonely, tumultuous? Describe: What are your most vivid childhood memories of? Describe your favorite smell from childhood? If your life had a title what would it be? What themes are prevalent in your life? What s your motto? Ever do anything extraordinary? Ever witness an extraordinary event? Ever have a brush with fame? What one individual (other than a parent) influenced you the most, and how? Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 5 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

8 Crafting Your Story Opening Line: Set the Scene (location, day/date/time): Name and Describe the Character(s): Describe the Action (Sights, Sounds, Smells, Colors, etc.): Drama: Climax: Moral/Conclusion/Twist: What is its Universal Quality? (What s in it for the audience?) Now Give Your Story a Title! Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 6 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

9 Universal Truths and Themes Universal Truth Risk leads to reward The Golden Rule Perseverance / Never give up Thou shall not steal Thou shall not lie Honesty s the best policy Integrity Responsibility Have Faith Honor the process Story Themes / Topics It takes two to communicate Customer Service Always at choice Language, Self-image Recognition Doing what we don't want to do Rapport Diversity Procrastination Inquisitive by nature Ripple effect Working together / or not! The power of words Coming on too strong Leading without title Your Themes / Learning Points Create your own list of universal truths, core messages and analogous stories that reinforce those points. Download a PDF file containing a form for tracking said stories here: Craig Harrison (510)

10 Two Story Spines Generic Story Spine Once upon a time Everyday But one day Because of that Because of that Because of that : : Until finally Ever since then And the moral of the story (optional) Success Story format SETTING: Several sentences to set the context and frame the action. SITUATION: What is the challenge, the obstacle, the impediment or task at hand? (Several more sentences to set up the success.) SOLUTION: How did you resolve the conflict? Accomplish the task? Utilize your skills, experience and judgment to help your client succeed? (Do tell!) [What does it say about you?] The Story Spine (courtesy of Kat Koppett, author, TRAINING TO IMAGINE) Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 8 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

11 Heather Rogers Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku Kirk Waller Doug Stevenson Corporate Mythologist "Hackin' 'Boo" StoryTheatre Susan Luke Craig Harrison

Welcome to the Storytellers PEG For just $25 Helping keynoters, trainers, consultants, coaches, subject matter experts and service providers to leverage the power of story as a form of communication,

Our PEG provides skill development, networking, community, resources and support.

12 Welcome to the Storytellers PEG For just $25 Helping keynoters, trainers, consultants, coaches, subject matter experts and service providers to leverage the power of story as a form of communication, persuasion and leadership. Encouraging current and aspiring storytellers and NSA members-at-large to develop and hone their understanding of how to craft, tell and improve their stories. Our PEG provides skill development, networking, community, resources and support. DELIVERABLES Special Programming at Fall and Winter Conferences and the annual Summer Convention Teleseminars monthly on various aspects of storytelling: vocal techniques, storytelling in business, audience dynamics, archetypal stories, etc. Articles in our quarterly newsletter and regular e-zines. Listserv planned for questions, tips, problem-solving, networking, etc. Leadership Opportunities: We have openings to coordinate e-zines and listserv. Call NSA today to join! (480) Storytellers PEG Just $25/year

Storytelling Resources Join the National Storytelling Network: www.storynet.org; Attend the annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough TN, Oct 2-4, 2009 www.storytellingfoundation.

13 Storytelling Resources Join the National Storytelling Network: Attend the annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough TN, Oct 2-4, Become a student of storytelling. Listen to storytelling on the radio on NPR: Garrison Keillor!s Prairie Home Companion, Ira Glass and others. NSA resources: Become a student of the storytellers in NSA: Grady Jim Robinson, Fripp, Kelly Swanson, Jeanne Robinson, Lou Heckler, Jon Alston, Naomi Rhode, the timing and comedic genius of late Bob Murphey, and many more. Articles of Craig!s on Storytelling: What Toastmasters And Storytellers Can Learn From Each Other (PDF) Become a Two-Minute Storyteller (8/06 edition of Toastmaster magazine): Leveraging Archetypal Stories to Connect (in sales and service situations): Storytelling in China: Craig s Storytelling Handouts: Call and Response Technique (PDF): Story Tell, Story Sell Storytelling for Speakers (PDF): Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 11 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

Photo: Julie Brown About Craig Harrison CRAIG HARRISON has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal and Business Week, interviewed by 60 MINUTES and BBC RADIO, quoted by the Orange County Register

Customer Communicator, Transaction World, The Professional Caterer, Executive Excellence and Toastmaster magazine.

Craig combines humor, story, wisdom and practical sense to help you communicate with confidence and clarity. Let him help you experience the sweet taste of success.

His work with a database company, publishing houses and a consulting firm also helped Craig develop his strong customer service orientation.

14 Photo: Julie Brown About Craig Harrison CRAIG HARRISON has been profiled in The Wall Street Journal and Business Week, interviewed by 60 MINUTES and BBC RADIO, quoted by the Orange County Register and his columns and articles have been published in the San Francisco Chronicle, San Francisco Examiner, Storytelling, Storyline, California Job Journal, Customer Service Newsletter, Support World, Customer Communicator, Transaction World, The Professional Caterer, Executive Excellence and Toastmaster magazine. Craig is also on the faculty of the UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ EXTENSION, and his clients include UNITED AIRLINES, WILSON SPORTING GOODS, SBC and KPMG. Craig combines humor, story, wisdom and practical sense to help you communicate with confidence and clarity. Let him help you experience the sweet taste of success. BACKGROUND As a manager, consultant, publisher and curriculum developer in Silicon Valley Craig developed his digital dexterity, helping the technical world train and communicate more effectively. His work with a database company, publishing houses and a consulting firm also helped Craig develop his strong customer service orientation. As a director of communications with the non-profit PROS FOR KIDS, Craig coached with Olympians and Hall of Fame athletes, helping young people enhance their self-esteem, become confident communicators and recognize the importance of healthy living. As a youth basketball coach Craig has led teams domestically and internationally for nonprofits SPORTS FOR UNDERSTANDING, PROS FOR KIDS and MACCABI Youth Sports Programs, and Oakland's HEAD-ROYCE and COLLEGE PREPARATORY High schools. Craig is past president of California chapter boards of the NATIONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION and the INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSOCIATION, founder of NSA s STORYTELLERS PEG, Vice Chair of the STORYTELLING ASSOCIATION OF ALTA CALIFORNIA, and a past District Governor and Distinguished Toastmaster with TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL. Craig Harrison s Expressions of Excellence! 12 Craig@ExpressionsOfExcellence.com

Session Title: Speaker: My Name: My Overall Goal or Outcome Sought + Target Date May relate this to one of the four competencies: (Expertise, Eloquence, Enterprise, Ethics) ACTIONS RESOURCES

15 Session Title: Speaker: My Name: My Overall Goal or Outcome Sought + Target Date May relate this to one of the four competencies: (Expertise, Eloquence, Enterprise, Ethics) ACTIONS RESOURCES CONTINGENCIES OBSTACLES DATES What actions must I take to achieve this outcome? What resources or relationships are needed? What is this action contingent upon? What obstacles may arise? Starting/ Completed / / / / /

The Speaker As Storyteller!

The Speaker As Storyteller! Unleashing The Power of Story To Enhance Your Speaking Prowess SACRAMENTO SPEAKERS NETWORK January 9, 2013 www.expressionsofexcellence.com (510) 547-0664 Why Stories? We re