130 Stories, Plus One
In 1974, Studs Terkel released a seminal book entitled Working: People Talk About What They Do All Day and How They Feel About What They Do. Studs, aka Louis Terkel (there’s a story there) interviewed 130 people, chronicling and honoring their stories. Search “Terkel,” and you will find these compelling narratives of work, life and meaning. There’s a heartbeat in every one.
Ours are no different. Each of us has a personal narrative, a story we tell ourselves about our work, the peaks and pits, the ditches and detours, the road not taken, the roller coaster, the ladder, the ceiling, the pasture and even “the zone.” And, somewhere in all of these is the heartbeat that sustained the effort and made it matter.
My random list of early occupations includes housekeeper, Avon Lady, Mary Kay consultant, English tutor, babysitter and receptionist. But, that’s not my story. Neither is being an organizational consultant. My story is about dignifying the work experience and making things better, period. It may sound lofty, but the lived experience behind it couldn’t be more grounded. It’s this clarity that fueled my actions and sustained my every effort.
Author, Editor, Meaning-Maker
What’s your story?
The story that you tell yourself about your work influences your memories, your choices, how you act and even how you see yourself. That’s no small matter. However you frame it, you are the author, the editor, the meaning-maker. By telling yourself your story, you can make sense of your experience in a way that matters to you. It’s that powerful.
To get at the heartbeat of your story, ask:
- What is the consistent thread that weaves through my work experience? Think in terms of a passion or a quality that you have brought to every work experience. This may be top of mind for you. If not, think about feedback you’ve received over time. You may find that thread in the echo of what others have seen in you. For me, that “thread” was the compelling desire to make more of what is, to make “it” better.
- What do I contribute that means the most to me? What first comes to mind may be your key responsibilities or accomplishments, those that relate specifically to your current role. But, what you feel most deeply may be something else entirely. For example, I know a phenomenal editor. She makes other people look good in print and online. But, what matters most to her is building a motley crew of talented people who work well together. She has a gift and a passion for collaboration.
- What story within my story is the one I can’t wait to tell? It’s the one that usually begins with “Did I ever tell you about the time I…?” This anecdote matters to you because it says something – or a great deal – about you. It could speak to any quality, such as your courage under fire, your unfailing ability to see the good in all situations or your ability to make others laugh. A friend who didn’t believe that he was “leadership material” tells of the time he sat with a mentor who asked him to recount all of his “people-accomplishments,” however small. Once he did, he saw himself differently, which changed the larger story he told himself. In time, he went on to lead others.
- What values do I rely on at work, day by day? Think about difficult or challenging work situations that you’ve handled and feel particularly good about. This story within your story is likely to reveal the values you relied on, those that matter most to you. An IT professional told the story of a customer who thanked him for resolving a very complex technical issue. At the end of the long call, she told him how much she appreciated the respect he showed her throughout. He explained that, for him, expertise without respect wasn’t in his wheelhouse. Bingo: His story!
Wherever you are right now in your life and in your work, write a good story – one that celebrates and affirms what you’ve done, what you do and who you are. Go with the heartbeat. Do it for yourself.
