Reflection – Storytelling

Challenge and selection

Storytelling is one component that I’ve grown up learning naturally. Whether it was 5-year-old me  who ran home telling each and every highlight of my day to my mother, or 20-year-old me who  became a student volunteer to mentor underprivileged students of my country. These students  come from a very diverse background who are at disadvantage. Getting quality education is no  less than a dream to them as most of them have been deprived of basic human rights. I myself am  from a humble background who worked day and night get merit scholarships for higher education  and knew that this was the only way out from all the miseries. I have a story, I am a teller, hence I  try to show them the path to success. There are many individuals who compare their situations to  mine, who have potential to bring a change and through sharing my stories, I get better responses  and hence insights of what the other is looking for, helping me recognize their potential points on  which I can guide them building their strengths.

Application

I began to understand the power of story telling when I wrote my first public speech. I was awarded  fully funded scholarship for my college education and as an act of gratitude I had to deliver a  speech. Whatever I spoke standing behind a podium was not merely how I got the scholarship or  how hard work made me stand where I am today, I was a story. Story of a daughter raised by a  humble single parent, who, at a very young age, recognized the potential of exploration. Soon after  my speech, I was called for a discussion by college board’s head who wanted to publish this story  to inspire more individuals. I agreed. The very next month, I was called by a nonprofit organization  who wanted me to give one-on-one mentorship to students who were confused in choosing their  career path. My storytelling and mentorship landed 21 students in universities of their choice where  they pursued their desired education, most of them on scholarships too.

Approach

Well, my story related to many students. Many of them came from humble backgrounds, either  didn’t have families or families weren’t able to support. In some cases, families were against  education due to backward mindset. I told them how my life turned upside down when I lost a  parent and the whole world turned their faces. How no one was their to financially support our  expenses and how the other parent couldn’t get respectable job or earnings due to lack of education.  I shared how we recovered through the situation, and how our desire to learn and grow made us  explore new opportunities, putting our hands on whatever was feasible and how we survived  through the situation.

My story had impact on large number of students who thought that financial inability was a  hindrance in their way to success. They started working hard, exploring opportunities, taking  chances and reaching conclusions. I never knew such a simple story will create impact for greater  good.

I, to date, continue to inspire individuals, mentoring students, marketing products and while  publishing researches. This course gave me an even better insight of how to carry out the process  even is easier and faster way, helping me now prepare the ideas beforehand.

