3 Stories to Keep in Your Back Pocket

I had a former mentor give me some advice I have never forgotten. Have a 60 second elevator speech ready in case you ever bump into your chief executive in the elevator. Have a 5 minute discourse prepared in case the elevator gets stuck.

Belle Halpern of Inspiring Educators would agree. She recommends we carry 3 stories about ourselves in our back pockets.

Who I Am?
This is my autobiography. These are the core values I treasure and here is how these principles show up in this workplace. This is what I stand for. This is how I have an impact around here. This is how I am fully myself and able to contribute to the success of the organization.

Why Do I Do What I Do?
These are my passions, expectations and dreams for my work. This is what I feel called to do. This is how I am effective, valuable, successful, engaged, authentic, complete, proud and alive at work. I understand that what I am doing is bigger than myself. I was better today than I was yesterday. I understand that knowing why I do what I do is just as important as knowing what to do and how to do it. I contribute not because I was told to but because I care. I work not to earn a reward or avoid a punishment but because I find it personally rewarding.

Please Join My Journey
Come along with me on my pilgrimage so we can get to a brighter tomorrow. If you do, these are the positive outcomes we can accomplish. This is my narrative of the future. How can we make it our story? How can we put our voices together and be heard despite the deafening noise of an increasingly individualistic and self-centered world.

Everybody has a story to tell. Be ready to tell yours when the elevator doors open. The experience may take you straight to the top.