Chapter 11: How To Tell Better Stories

A year ago, I sat down with a friend who had built a seven-figure business.

Perfect, right? This guy had the blueprint, and I was ready to soak it all in.

So I asked, "If you had to start over today, what's the first thing you'd do?"

He nodded, leaned back in his chair, and launched into a story about fishing with his grandpa, his first job, and a random business deal that changed his life.

Ten minutes later, I interrupted him and asked again.

He took a deep breath… and jumped into another five-minute tangent about a different business deal.

He still hadn’t answered my question.

Why Most Stories Fall Flat

Was my (fictional) friend's story interesting? Sure.

Was it useful? Not even close.

Here’s the truth about storytelling:

A vivid, personal story isn’t automatically a good one.

A good story serves its audience. It delivers something concrete. An insight, a realization, or a lesson that sticks.

If you want to tell stories that actually move people, you need a system.

Here’s the one I’m using:

1. Mine Your Daily Life (The "Story Bank" Method)

Forget waiting for epic moments. You don’t need to survive a plane crash or outrun the mob to tell a compelling story.

Here’s what author Matthew Dicks (in his book Storyworthy) taught me:

• Take five minutes every evening.

• Ask yourself: "What moment from today could be a story?"

• Write one sentence about it.

Example:
"February 14th: Went for a run along the coast. A friendly dog ran up, sniffed me, and decided to run with me for two miles. We both had big smiles at the end."

You can do this too.

Create a new sheet, doc, or notion template and map out two columns (date & story)

Do this daily, and you'll build a bank of authentic stories to draw from.

2. Find the Thread That Pulls

When a moment keeps replaying in your head, there’s gold there. Ask yourself:

• What belief did this challenge?

• Why can’t I stop thinking about this?

• What uncomfortable truth did this reveal?

From my running story:

It was just like any other run—until a random dog decided to join me.

Why does that stand out from all my other runs?

3. Extract the Universal Truth

A story without a larger truth is just a diary entry.

Your job is to connect your experience to something bigger.

The running story isn’t about running.

It’s about how life’s most memorable moments often come unplanned. What started as a routine solo run became unforgettable because I embraced an unexpected companion.

4. Structure for Impact

Great stories follow a simple framework:

• Action: Drop us in the middle ("I was running along the coastal cliffs…")

• Background: Quick context ("My usual solo morning run…")

• Development: Build tension ("Then this dog appeared, matching my pace…")

• Climax: The turning point ("Two miles later, we’re both grinning…")

• Ending: The realization ("Sometimes the best moments come from unexpected company.")

5. Make It a Mirror

Here’s the harsh truth:

People don’t care about your story unless they see themselves in it.

Always ask:

• What realization could this trigger?

• How does this make someone’s life better?

• What struggle does this help someone overcome?

From Theory to Practice

For the next 30 days, I’m putting this system to the test.

I’ll be sharing one story daily, on Instagram [@eric_dodds].

Not just random stories, but moments that might help you see your own life differently.

Because that’s what great storytelling does: It shows us who we are, who we could be, and sometimes, who we’re afraid to become.

Want to see if this actually works? Follow along. First story drops tomorrow.