It’s time to take back the power in our stories

Since there are so many stories competing for attention, it is easy to be overwhelmed or assume you are the mercy of the loudest story being told. The truth is, you always have the choice to take back your story power. You can make the decision about what stories you allow to live inside your head.

Everyone has the capacity to be a Story Activist. It's in your hands to decide which stories you choose to pay attention to, grow. and share The stories you activate can help co-create a more generative future for us all.

Being a Story Activist means cultivating new capacities for actively choosing how you live and work with stories.

Here are some practices to support you in being a Story Change Agent. Remember: Whatever you practice is what grows in your life. 

The 10 Practices of Story Activism

PRACTICE 1: BE MORE CURIOUS

Stories are the way we make sense and meaning of the world, determining both our level of agency and the actions we take. Curiosity becomes a medium for transformation when used by a Story Activist. Ask a question, elicit a story, make a move. Keep fostering and deepening your curiosity. It can take you everywhere.

PRACTICE 2: BE A GOOD STORY LISTENER

Just as we use stories as our lens on the world, we use them as a listening lens too. The art of listening makes you an active co-creator in the telling. It will eventually make you a better storyteller and Story Activist, tracking the deeper patterns that lead to transformation.

PRACTICE 3: START TELLING STORIES THAT WILL HELP US LIVE WELL TOGETHER

Stories of connection and contribution help to create a resonant field of change. What stories do we need to STOP telling? Which do we need to KEEP telling? What stories do we need to START telling? The stories we spread make all the difference.

PRACTICE 4: BUILD YOUR CAPACITY TO CREATE SPACES FOR STORIES TO BE SHARED

Hone the capacity for hosting generous space -- spaces that create a safe-enough place for stories to be heard, shared, welcomed and worked with. Change your stance from hero to host to bring more voices together.

PRACTICE 5: ASK YOURSELF: "WHAT IS MINE TO DO?"

Ask yourself: "How does my story need to grow and change? What is mine to do? What are my next elegant steps?". Take time to deeply sense into your piece of the puzzle. Illuminate what you need to let go of and the responsibilities, challenges and gifts to be taken up now. Decide to take wiser action.

PRACTICE 6: FIND YOUR TEAM. LEAN IN. STAY CONNECTED.

It takes a field to shift a field. Find your team -- who are the people who will be the strong core? Set your principles and ways of working so you can lean in and stay together through the challenges which are part of any worthwhile endeavour.

PRACTICE 7: TAKE COURAGE. FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS & BEGIN ANYWHERE.

You have the resources you need, now find the ways to take up and strengthen your courage. Keep purpose at the centre. Start wherever there is energy. Keeping your focus will tell you where to move next.

PRACTICE 8: IF IT'S ABOUT THEM, DON'T DO IT WITHOUT THEM

How many times have policies been set where those impacted were not part of the decision? Having all stakeholder voices in the room ensures the knowledge of the full system can be at play and people are committed to make change happen.

PRACTICE 9: FOCUS ON THE POSSIBLE. DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE.

Be the patient gardener. Plant the small seeds and tend them well. At the same time, keep the vision of the beautiful forest in your mind's eye. Big things start from small beginnings and small things tended with big heart can work wonders.

PRACTICE 10: COMMIT TO BEING A LEARNER. KEEP PRACTICING.

If you want to be a practitioner, you need to keep practicing! That makes a commitment to learning an incredibly practical -- and enjoyable -- thing! Invitation is magnetic. Staying on your own learning edge invites others to be in learning, too! Remember, life is a grand experiment.