The Secret to Making Any Story Matter
- Jan 15
- 2 min read
I woke up in the hallway of the Waikiki Holiday Inn at 3 in the morning, completely naked.
This is the start of a story I tell about sleepwalking out of my hotel room one night on vacation. It’s the start of a journey, not just about what I did, but about who I am.
Every story has two layers: what happened — and what it’s really about.
Most storytellers stop at the surface, focusing on events, actions, and outcomes. But if you want your story to resonate, you need to go deeper.
That’s where the magic happens.
When you explore why your story matters, you uncover the universal truths that connect you to your audience — fear, hope, trust, love, belonging. It’s not about what you did. It’s about what you discovered along the way.
Take my story of waking up locked out of a hotel room — funny, awkward, maybe even embarrassing. But with reflection, that same story becomes about vulnerability, awareness, or growth. That shift turns a moment into a message.
Here’s the key: meaningful stories reveal change. Ask yourself:
What changed because of this moment?
How did I see myself or the world differently afterward?
What emotion or lesson sits underneath the action?
The Make It Matter Method distills this process into simple, powerful steps:
Start with the action. What happened?
Ask “Ever since that day…” What changed after that moment?
Work backward. What was life like before?
Find the inner meaning. What is this story really about?
Simplify the plot. Keep only what supports your message.
Go “Up” for perspective or “Down” for emotion.
Notice how your story changes over time.
Anchor in one emotion or insight. What’s the core takeaway?
When you follow this process, your story becomes more than a series of events — it becomes a bridge between you and your audience. It builds connection, clarity, and meaning.
Your story doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to be real, and it has to matter.
Ready to uncover the deeper meaning behind your experiences? Learn about The Make It Matter Method and discover how to craft stories that connect, inspire, and stay with your audience.
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