Best Stories = Memories + Moments + Experiences

You must have wondered at some point of time, "But how do I get ideas for writing stories and anecdotes?". Here is my answer, which will help you get not only ideas but some inspiration too:-

Best Stories = Moments + Memories + Experiences

Series of moments = Memory

Series of memories = Experience

Moments

Moments are short spanned, whereas memories might be collected by our brain over a longer time. When a student of mine (fellow of School for Social Entrepreneurs India) created a poem through ChatGPT and shared it with me, it became a memorable moment for sure. Here is the link:-

There is a Storyteller

Tips

1) If you have organised a successful event, you surely want to keep a record of its impactful moments and beautiful memories. Create a PPT story or photo album story.

2) You can also create a PPT or photo album story of your own life or a particular topic. Here are two examples:-

From Limiting Stories to Inspiring Stories

Digital is Magical

Memories

Nothing is as powerful as storytelling to preserve your memories. A story a day, gives memories to stay. All memories are born out of moments; and are merely ‘amalgamation' of moments. While a single photo can remind you of a touching moment, a memory can be a series of events or moments. Let me share a beautiful memory from my life:-

Sweet memories

Some memories just refuse to fade away though it has been more than a decade. Before I ventured into digital marketing and social media in 2010, I used to teach MBA- Marketing students and many of them got jobs in sales.

I tried to create a culture of ''High pressure, Constant celebration'' among MBA-Marketing students, as sales and marketing profession needs it. So I created a classroom culture of targets, deadlines and clapping. Every time someone exceeded the targets, we would clap for the student, while I focused on creating a culture of performing under pressure. The culture and associated practices continued for nearly two years.

One fine day, when I shared with my students about receiving doctorate, the class suddenly stood up, clapped and gave me a standing ovation. Aha, the joys of teaching.

Tips

1) For example, I have narrated an interesting series on LinkedIn, "Memories with Mentors" penning down the lessons learnt and memorable times spent with mentors.

2) Giving surprises to people creates memories for the receiver and a story for the giver.

3) Some memories also come from unusual experiences and hard hitting messages. Here is an interesting example :-

Experiences

We have two selves, one is the "experiencing" self (present) and other is the "remembering" self (past). Yet there is something paradoxical about experience.

Experience gives us wisdom.

Experience gives us baggage.

Experience gives us stories to tell.

So here comes one experience which I had at NASSCOM Martech Conference, Mumbai.

Memories and Moments. Don't call it M & M please

NASSCOM Martech Confluence, Sept 2015. For the first and probably last time, NASSCOM organised a conference on martech or marketing technology.

For me, the main attraction at the conference was the masterclass by Dave Caroll. I attended the master class on storytelling by Dave Carroll (of United Breaks Guitar fame video, 1.7 crore + views on Youtube which got viral). We had a chat immediately after the master class. Dave told me that stories are made up of "memories and moments" or M & M in short. I smiled and told Dave, "Don't use M & M in India for memories and moments please. In India M & M stands for Mahindra and Mahindra. And we Indians will stick to that".

So I modified his approach and created this equation for India;

Best Stories = Memories + Moments + Experiences

Now I will end this episode with something interesting. Have you ever wondered that the mind forgets everything sooner or later except four things viz.;

?a) nursery rhymes (repetition),

?b) shocking statistics (emotions / shock),

?c) quotable quotes & proverbs?(interesting & short)

d) and stories of course (narrative and relatable).

Isn't it? What do you remember even after 10 years, let's say?

Please share in the comment section.

If you need help on your own path, please consider?our book, or?a 1:1 coaching session.?

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Brief Profile

Dr Amit Nagpal is a business storyteller with special interest in brand storytelling, data storytelling and social media marketing through storytelling. He has more than two and a half decades of experience as teacher and practitioner of brand management and media marketing including television, print and digital/new media.

He has co-authored the Amazon bestseller, “Personal Branding, Storytelling and Beyond”. He believes “Digital is Magical” and stories are the most powerful tool to build brands as well as bonds. To know more, visit www.dramitnagpal.com