Why is understanding story so important?
Most people believe that stories live in the pages of books, but the most important stories in the world are hidden. They live inside us. They are created through the meaning we make of our experiences. Day by day. Moment by moment.
The stories we hold are our lens on the world. They frame what we see and who we can be as a result. They determine our agency -- our ability to take action and make impact.
Whether you see possibilities or problems, competition or potential colleagues depends on your story. Most people aren't even aware their story is in the driver's seat and they are being taken for a ride, all the while wishing desperately to go down a different road.
Here's the thing: We live in a story and that means we can change it.
Changing your personal story is the first step towards living the future you want. When you claim your story, you learn to trust yourself and your impact expands. You shine brighter and the world will beat a path to your door.
When we change the stories we live in collectively -- when they are more positive and generative -- life gets better for everyone. Work becomes more fulfilling, community becomes more connected and everyone benefits.
The power of transformation lies in the stories we choose to activate. In life, at work: It's time to tell a better story.
The aspects of great storymaking
Telling a better story is about more than technique. SOAR works with five core aspects to bring story to life within individuals and the systems they are part of.
Together these aspects form a potent strategy. When you work with your own stories, you build personal and interpersonal capacity. When we work with stories together, we increase our capacity for collective wise action.
Whatever the change you're seeking, story is the key.
Read the book
What's the most important story in the world? It's the one you tell yourself.
The stories alive inside you influence whether you feel powerless or powerful, color your success and happiness, underpin every action you take. When you wake up to the stories at work in your life, you suddenly step into the position of power. Story stops being what defines you and becomes your ally.
If you're longing for a larger, more authentic life, let 365 ALIVE! be your guide.
Join the Community
THE STORY DOJO is a community for exploring, ideating and practicing all aspects of story. Whether you are a new story enthusiast or a seasoned practitioner, we have something for you. Let us host your story to life!
We offer:
- • Vibrant conversation
- • Hosted exploration of how story works
- • A safe space for your story to grow & change
- • Digital Learning Library
- • Worldwide Community
Everyone is welcome -- come and check us out!
Find out more & join us!2022 is the year of Story
Here's how your stories can change the world
The past few years have been tough. It’s easy to focus on the drama of it all, but I’ve decided that I’d rather live in a love story.
Sharing stories is a great reminder that we already know how to love and reminds others how they’ve sparked love and learning in us and for others.
The more we share, the more love there is. So here's an invitation to join me in sending out small stories to people who've made a difference. We CAN change the world. One love story at a time…
It's simple and easy.
Every day for 28 days, you'll receive a digital postcard with a short prompt.
Use it to think about a memory, a story or an appreciation. Write it down and send it to someone you care about. Say something that's in your mind and on your heart. Spread the love. There's no better time then now for us to remind each other who we can be together.
There's so much more to learn about story!
Amazing self-paced learning experiences are waiting for you right now in the digital library!
Learn at your own pace, when and where you want.
Ideal both for those beginning their story journey and advanced practitioners.
Our offerings include:
- IMAGINE is the support kit you need to create your greatest year ever. Take the step-by-step journey into your new future.
- FREEDOM invites you to recognize that freedom is not a matter of state, but of mindset. It offers potent and mind expanding steps towards creating more freedom in your life.
- STORY THE FUTURE & 65 ALIVE! together include 50+ hours of self-paced learning about story with interviews from over 80 international speakers.
- Download "The 10 Practices of Story Activism" e-book
- More content on the way!
Play THE FLOW GAME & gain clarity & courage
Give yourself -- or someone you care about -- the gift of a powerful future. Playing a Flow Game is exactly the support you need to put the foundation under your next steps.
This four hour experience is a powerful combination of coaching and deep reflection. Focusing on what matters most to you right now, your questions become the the entrée into the Flow Game -- a fun and easy tool that creates wise council for your burning issues.
Now is the perfect time!
A Flow Game is ideal for:
- Colleagues who want to innovate together
- Life partners wanting to explore an aspect of relationship in a new way
- A team needing wise council on a current or planned initiative
- Anyone seeking personal inspiration and a lift into their desired future
Find out what others say about their experience...
I'm Mary Alice & I'm a Story Activist
I've been travelling the world and going in and out of organizations, systems, communities and cultures for decades. In working with both individuals and groups, I realized STORY is the secret superpower of humanity. The stories we tell are creating the world we're living in. Every moment. Every day. Story by story.
YOUR STORY IS YOUR FOUNDATION & YOUR KEY TO THE FUTURE -- the roadmap for enabling your purpose in the world.
Your story acts as a beacon lighting the way. What most people don't realize is that you aren't stuck with the current situation -- you can make the choice to activate a better story.
I guide people longing to live a larger and more authentic life to uncover and craft the story that compels them to live that life. And I work with groups to find the stories that will bring their vision and potential into focus and action.
JUST FINDING YOUR STORY IS NOT ENOUGH, YOU NEED TO BRING IT TO LIFE -- especially if the story involves others.
Taking action to live your own story -- and working with others to help a new story take root in the world -- is vital. And there are so many stories that need changing now! I'm a great storyteller, but I'm even better at coaching people to hone the capacity to activate and empower stories to life.
How you take action, especially with others, matters. And with a story and skill, anyone can make change in themselves and in this world!
My book, my story community, the programs I offer and how I work as a Story Activist are the ways I'm making my contribution to grow our individual and collective futures.
I just love working with groups! Here's Brian Tarallo's harvest of my workshop "Change Your Story, Change the World" at the Power of Visuals Week-a-thon.
Inspiration & support to step out with your story!
Subscribe to my newsletter -- The Red Thread -- for news and tips about the power & practice of story.
"I turned to Mary Alice for support in a critical time in my work to successfully navigate a difficult merger and rebuild the team. I consider the coaching and support key factors in the success of this project. Her warm and wise presence by my side empowered me and impacted the entire organization with lasting results."
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Nora Ganescu
Consultant & coach, Slovakia
"Mary Alice has been a guide on our journey of service transformation in different ways over seven years. She brings crisp clarity, sharp focus, deep wisdom and a collection of stories that create space for potent conversations and insights."
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Penny Hamilton
Strategic Partnerships Manager, Uniting Care, Queensland, Australia
"Mary Alice has the sort of grounded presence that can hold a group of any size. I experienced her leading one of the best conferences I've attended. Many people are competent and skilled. Mary Alice has that extra spark that makes her truly inspirational."
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David Sibbet
Founder, The Grove Consultants International, USA