Storytelling is very important for every aspect of life because it’s so powerful. When you tell a good story, your impact is better. In this blog article, I’m going to share with you my take on how international travel hones your storytelling skills.
- The power of storytelling:
You are on a date with a woman, and you want to tell her that you are a kind person. There are two ways to do this: 1) You say, “I’m a kind person.” 2) You tell her a story which indicates that you are a kind person, e.g., “My sister was in a difficult situation, and I offered her…”
Which way is more effective?
I’m pretty sure the second way is significantly better because a story is always more memorable and interesting, whereas the first way is dull and boring. Don’t forget that there is a reason why fiction books are much more popular than non-fiction books in most bookstores.
The best way to cultivate your storytelling skills is to actually have some stimulating experiences. Obviously, international travel provides you with extraordinary experiences.
I know several people that are very good at storytelling, and all of them have something in common: A) They are avid readers. B) They have traveled the world.
Indeed, reading is a way to have various experiences as well because it’s mentally stimulating and expands your outlook. What’s more, international travel involves a wealth of exciting experiences for you to explore: You can meet very different people and experience a wide variety of cultures.
- An even better way to hone your storytelling skills:
Most great writers are very well-spoken. Personally, I would say that I’m an effective writer and according to my employer and clients, I’m well-spoken. As a ghost-writer, I’ve written fiction and non-fiction books over two decades. From 2006 to 2021, I was teaching creative writing at university. I used to tell my students that writing is a wonderful way to practice public speaking because both activities are language output. (Of course, public speaking requires other capabilities, too. But writing and speaking are about language output, i.e., the ability to create engaging content effectively.)
So, if you would like to improve your storytelling skills, you may consider practicing your writing skills first.
I understand that you probably don’t want to get a degree in Creative Writing. However, the fastest way to improve your writing skills is to read more, as good writers are also good readers. And the fact that you are reading this blog regularly means you are on the right track.
“Outstanding storytelling skills improve your impact!”
