#Stories May 20
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The best public speakers, parents, teachers, ministers, coaches, business leaders, sales professionals, and elected officials know how to utilize STORIES to deliver a powerful message.
My reading this past month I came across two STORIES I had never heard of before.
The first one to best of my research abilities appears to be an Aesop Fable.
Buried Treasure
A dying father is talking to his three sons right before taking his last breath. He has gathered them at his bedside at the end of long winter.
The father had been a successful hard working farmer his entire life. His grapes were prized by many wineries. He was concerned that his three sons were looking for a way to unload the farm and split the profits. The dad knew that at this point in their lives they did not understand the riches that come from hard work.
Before the dad died he told his three sons there is great treasure hidden in vineyards. The sons asked his dad specifically where but before he could answer he took his last breath.
As soon as their dad had been buried the three sons frantically dug up every inch of soil in the vineyard but found no buried treasure. When it came time for the grape harvest it was the best in 40 years.
The dad’s goal was to teach them that the industry of hard work is the treasure.
The second story is from book The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander.
Rule #6
“Two prime ministers are sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologizes, and withdraws. The politicians return to their conversation, only to be interrupted yet again twenty minutes later by an hysterical woman gesticulating wildly, her hair flying. Again the intruder is greeted with the words: “Marie, please remember Rule Number 6.” Complete calm descends once more, and she too withdraws with a bow and an apology. When the scene is repeated for a third time, the visiting prime minister addresses his colleague: “My dear friend, I’ve seen many things in my life, but never anything as remarkable as this. Would you be willing to share with me the secret of Rule Number 6?” “very simple,” replies the resident prime minister. “Rule Number 6 is ‘Don’t take yourself so g-damn seriously.” “Ah,” says his visitor, “that is a fine rule.” After a moment of pondering, he inquires, “And what, may I ask, are the other rules?”
“There aren’t any.”
As leaders, teachers, coaches. parents, public speakers, business leaders, and elected officials we always seem to be prove our value to others, to overachieve, and to always win the battle of comparison. A good laugh and lightening the mood for everyone around us is important.
We all need to remember the goal of any team is for everybody to succeed not just you and me. Don’t take yourself so seriously.
Hope the STORIES help you in some way.
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