It was exactly this time December 2017, my mind was finally made up!
Yes, I was doing pretty well as a primary school teacher in a private school, earning 25k in a month. Putting in more effort, working as a home lesson teacher and earning an extra 25k at some point.
Work was hell, but I got along with it and everything else about teaching except the noise. Goodness! I struggled with this every single day; For obvious reasons, this Mercy likes her quiet!
But hey, I was earning about 50k a month “as a teacher” in this our Nigeria, and in the Ancient city of Benin, “Aba! You are a big woman o..” Some persons will say. “Thank you, uncle for calling me a big woman, shebi I should be dancing now?” Mtcheeeeew
Did I enjoy teaching those kids, absolutely! Especially as I saw it as an opportunity to mold young minds. And I was deliberate in every move, every word, every action I took. Trust me, I did my best! And some parents and even other teachers acknowledged it.
But down deep within me, this was not where I wanted to be, it felt like a cage to me, something like a classroom prison. I knew there could be more, and I just kept looking out for FREEDOM!
But you know life, the more I wanted to go out, the more it seemed there was no way out. The system almost forced me to believe that was where I was meant to be. Chai!! Not funny at all. Think about misplacement of purpose. Think about confusion, I was right there at the middle.
Long story short, December 2017, I was fed up! Whether or not there was another way, I nor do again!
I submitted my resignation letter without any hope of getting a new job. Yes, I had some plans, but didn’t know how it will all go…
It’s two years now I made that decision, and within this space, it’s proven to be a story of; “from zero to hero”. I cannot begin to count my blessings. Too many to mention. Some challenges I faced were even a blessing in disguise.
Today, I have multiple streams of income; I earn from my blogging career, from my writing skills, from speaking engagement, and I consult for businesses on content and online marketing.
Are we where we want to be yet, capital NO. But we are certainly not where we used to be!!
That’s my story.
Without a doubt, storytelling is a great way to connect with your audience, build influence, impact and income. It is one of the most powerful tools we have for activating people and causing social change.
Reasons: We are all connected to a story.
And as Magret Woodsworth would say;
“Human beings are story telling beings”.
People consume information that is entertaining, reflects their existing beliefs, or help them be a better version of themselves.
If you are building a brand, a business, or a movement, your story is your unique selling point!
Looking at a digital age as this, amidst the noise and plenty talk here and there, your story is what stands you out. Your story gives you a voice that distinguishes you!
Surprisingly, lots of persons never tell their stories. Some will talk about everyone else, everything else, but their own stories. Some are just afraid or too ashamed to tell their stories.
If you have never told your story, I challenge you!
Put your pen to work!!
Create that art of a page or two. Share it with a friend. Share it with me.
Here is a blueprint:
Your story can take the form of any or some of the basic emotions of life. According to phycologists, there are six of them; Anger, fear, disgust, happiness, sadness, and surprise.
Pixar is one of the world’s greatest storytellers of our time, a subsidiary of Walt Disney, they recommend a simple formula that works well for both fiction and nonfiction. According to them, your story can take the following shape:
Once upon a time there was [blank]. Every day, [blank]. One day [blank]. Because of that, [blank]. Until finally [blank].
One thing I have learned and can never forget is that; “Every story is beautiful!!!”
But this is where it gets even more interesting. By telling your story, you are awake to your own reality, your own uniqueness.
You become conscious of creating an even more beautiful story of you…!
Empower yourself, tell your own story!
To your continued success…
Mercy Omoregie
Online Business Consultant, Writer.
BeInspired
BeInspired Show
www.inspire.show
