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Have you ever wanted yours personal brand history missing something?
Perhaps you’ve noticed that every other brand story presents a huge challenge, but without a struggle to share your own, you wonder if you need to amplify your life events to make your story more powerful.
If you’ve already tried it, chances are it felt inauthentic. You are not alone. When we see these stories of struggle everywhere, it can feel like our history should be like that too. But that is not the case at all.
With a strong story, you can seamlessly resonate with your audience and be recognized as a thought leader. But the secret to making it more powerful lies in yours authentic history… not a model that amplifies challenges just to connect with your audience.
Keep reading to find out the best way to adopt the favorite hero’s journey model and write a killer bio that earns your audience’s love and trust—even if you don’t have a dramatic event or huge challenge to build it around .
Related: How to create an epic brand story like Elon Musk’s and Henry Ford’s
The Hero’s Journey Trap
You’ve seen the classic hero’s journey: the quite called to adventure, discovers a guide, faces a challenge, experiences a profound transformation, and returns to the world with newfound gifts or insights.
While a great model, originally curated by author and professor Joseph Campbell, however, it constitutes a trap. Over time, this has led people to believe that a story is not strong or engaging unless it involves a great challenge or hardship; such as a traumatic car accident, chronic illness, problematic divorce, falling into poverty; the list goes on.
We see it all the time: these inspiring stories of overcoming adversity – and when they’re true, they can have a huge impact! But the challenge lies in those who do not carry a history of trauma or monumental challenge.
They end up trying to make their story ‘more exciting’ by overdramatizing theirs life eventswhich can do more harm than good.
The truth about creating a strong brand story
When I was planning a novel back in 2014, I found myself looking to force an element of evil into my story. It just didn’t come naturally, but I considered it important!
I blindly reached out to one of my favorite fiction writers of all time: Richard Bach. To my surprise, he wrote back! I was beyond excited! Here was his advice:
“Your stories can simply tell that your characters want to live a simple, gentle life. What stood between them and that life, and what did they do to find their way through the rocks? How is your heroine different from others? What does she do think and dream? What kind of wind blows her towards her dream and what currents take her off course? How does she change, from chapter 1 to chapter 20?
The forces of evil, the evil ones, are for writers who write for what they think their readers want… You don’t need evil to tell a great story.”
Reflecting on this, I realized how it fits perfectly personal fire stories. You see, you is the character and the dramatized challenges are the evil forces we feel are necessary.
That is, despite the well-known story linesyour story doesn’t have to entail this to be impactful.
Do you want proof? Many thought leaders have made a significant impact with their unique gifts and message without focusing on their challenges. Like:
- Marie Forleo; who followed her desire to go against the conventional grain and chase more pleasure after recognizing that she was unfulfilled;
- Jay Shetty; who followed his inspiration after meeting a monk and did not resonate with the route his college friends took;
- Preston smiles; who followed his innate desire to share love and happiness, care for others and do “great things”.
Everyone faces challenges, but not all stories of transformation are filled with heavy, extraordinary events—and, despite popular opinion, they don’t have to be. You can simply run with a different story; driven by wishes, dreams, insights and realizations.
Related: 30 tips to grow your audience and stand out on Instagram
How to Write a Killer Bio (Without Amplifying Your Life Events)
You can now unfold your most authentic personal brand story – without falling into the trap of feeling the need to dramatize everything. Follow the directions below and infuse them into your story of transformation.
1. What was your chapter 1?
Reflect on where it all began, who you were and what life was like. This is the part that will resonate most with your audience who know this world well.
2. What stood between you and your dreams?
Everyone faces problems and obstacles, big or small. What stopped you from creating your dream life in the beginning?
3. What “wind” blew you toward your dream?
Before you sought a new path, you were called to action, to adventure. What was the last straw that made you change? This can be a moment, a realization or just your longing wishes.
4. What helped you find “the way through the rocks”?
Who and what helped you get over the line? Identify mentors, guides, books or practices that helped you provide insight to your audience – and connect the dots for you and your offering.
5. What “currents” took you off course?”
What challenges arose that could have stood in the way of your success? For some, this is rock bottom; for others, it is simply a more profound insight or realization that makes returning no longer an option.
6. How did you change because of your success “from chapter 1 to chapter 20”?
Reflect on your transformation and highlight what changed for you, internally or externally. This transformation can happen over some time or at a precise moment.
7. What gifts do you now have to share with the world?
Look at where you are today and what you have ‘returned’ with: new insights, wisdom, gifts, experience or purpose. What are you here to do, who are you here to serve and how?
