Surprise refers to moments in the story that are unexpected. This can be anything that breaks the typical patterns of what your listeners expect.

You can check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tj2VxXfARk

When you tell a well-crafted story, your listener’s brain releases oxytocin, making them more likely to trust you and your ideas.

You can identify experiences that can be turned into a story by 1) reviewing your past experience, 2) interviewing customers, or 3) interviewing coworkers Look for any situations that stand out or set you apart from others Once you’ve found a story that stands out, outline the story and save it to your Story Bank

The most common way to set goals is using SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely). I like SMART and recommend you use it, but I want to make one adjustment. Instead of using achievable goals, I prefer to use ambitious goals.

Connection stories are short, personal accounts of recent experiences that reveal more about who you are The objective of connection stories is to build rapport with your buyers and make them feel comfortable opening up to you You have a great opportunity to share a short connection story when someone asks “How are you?”

By sharing what the character thinks, you make your listeners care. The more they know about the character, the more they’ll be rooting for them.

Why does it matter to state the time, location, and main character? Because these three points give your story instant credibility.

the most impactful stories cover just 4 essential steps: 1. Context, 2. Challenge, 3. Response, 4. Result.