How can you authentically and relatably tell stories of overcoming challenges?

Less is more. One of the challenges we all face as speakers is wanting to say too much. As a rule of thumb, write your talk then remove 1/3 to 1/2 of it and it will be getting close to the correct length. Less is more.

Here are a couple of points to support being authentic in the heat of the moment- Give yourself permission to not rush Allow yourself to take a breath and pause or pause and breathe Be in your story, don't talk 'about' it Be in the moment - see your audience, the room, hear sounds, feel your body. Focus on your audience Remember it is a generous act to share your story.

When it comes to sharing your story, it's important to strike a balance between pushing forward and dwelling on the past. While it can be insightful to delve into your experiences, it's important to avoid making your audience feel stuck in their own past. Instead, try to incorporate them into your journey and lead them to where you are now. Many motivational speakers make the mistake of pushing too hard for solutions, forgetting about the push-and-pull style. As many great keynote speakers say, "less is more", but it's also important to seize the moment with your audience.

This is simply a task of telling your story. I get that we should organize it, but I feel that the most important part is getting it out there. However it may come about. The best stories are organic. They seem to blossom from a seemingly dire situation.

Authentically and relatably sharing stories of overcoming challenges involves a raw and genuine narrative. I introduce personal experiences into the storytelling, being open about the struggles, setbacks, and the emotional rollercoaster. By embracing vulnerability, I connect with my audience on a human level, making the journey relatable. It's not just about triumph; it's about the messy middle, the doubts, and the resilience that emerged. By using relatable language and anecdotes, I paint a vivid picture, emphasizing the shared aspects of our human experience. Through this authenticity, the stories become not just about me but about a collective journey of overcoming challenges, fostering a deeper connection with my audience.

**No Therapy On Stage** Often motivational speakers recount a traumatic event. Of course, this can be powerful. It can become a signature story. I have one such story and I made a mistake when I started telling it. I had not worked through the emotions attached to the story. When I told it I would cry, at times even sob on stage. I thought this was powerful. I was wrong. Your job as a speaker is to guide the audience from a position of strength. Tell your story and share the lesson you learned. When you cry you are still in healing mode. Audiences empathise. You are taking the audience's energy. You should be giving it to them. Don't do your therapy on stage. Work it out before you ask to be paid. Be a strong leader on stage.

Choose an MVD. Epiphany with a limit. Audiences are becoming smarter and they can smell hyperbolic stories. So choose the Minimum Viable Dose when it comes with choosing challenges. As it can backfire.

When structuring your motivational speech, beware of making yourself the hero of your story. But wait, isn't that the motivation?! I've learned from long-time Public Speaker Craig Valentine that it's much more effective to put the process on a pedestal, over a single person. If you brand yourself as a star, exceptional, no one like you, then the folks you're trying to motivate will feel like your message couldn't help "someone like them." When you lift up the process of your transformation, you're much more likely to have your audience feel like they're able to make the same incredible change.

When you're telling a motivational story, it's important to be authentic and honest. Your audience will be able to tell if you're being fake, and they won't be inspired by your story. Don't try to make it seem like everything was easy or perfect. Your audience will appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. Everyone has setbacks, and it's important to talk about them in your story. This will show your audience that you're relatable and that you've overcome challenges in your life. Don't try to be someone you're not. Your audience will be able to tell if you're being genuine, and they'll be more likely to connect with your story if you're being yourself. I learned it the hard way. Your audience look for the original on you, so give them that

The most impactful stories are honest. Our individual experiences are intertwined in more ways than we could imagine. I’ve found that transparency can be very liberating for the listener. Listening to an honest story of a difficult experience that is very similar to one you are struggling with is like taking a breath of fresh air.

Use the reframing exercise. Is common to be so deeply and emotionally connected to our story that it can come across as salesy. When you put yourself in the shoes of your audience and ask yourself the question: How will this make them feel? It helps to tone down and adjust the intensity of the story. Trust me, it works.

One of the best ways to be relatable on stage is to tell lots of first-person stories. 'so there I was....' 'just minding my own business' 'and this guy... big guy... steps out in front of me' 'and I gotta tell you he scared the living daylights outta me' Causal, conversational stories like you would tell your friends after work will EARN YOU MONEY. You may be tempted to try and be clever with your speaking. Sometimes it works. Often not. Of course, it's not all conversational storytelling but scatter these throughout your talk. Audiences love them. Event planners love happy audiences.

Relatability is key. Everyone goes through challenges in this life. Mentioning and acknowledging that fact while sharing your story makes your audience feel seen and understood. It helps them realize they’re never alone in their struggles.

The art of storytelling is important to master as a motivational speaker. Being able to tie the sequence of a story to the core message of your speech allows for it all to come in full circle.