The Art of Approaching

(Rick Simeone) #1

SPEAK IN GENERALIZATIONS


Stories are meant to be larger than life. Though they may have really happened, you
should always change a story in favor of dramatic effect. If you’re the main character, try
to make you seem like an important figure in the world you’re looking to create.


A great way to do this is to speak in generalizations that help make your main character
seem more important.


Fir instance, let’s say you have a story about how you hit your first home run in little
league. Maybe in real life, your parents were the only ones who jumped to their feet and
started clapping, but in your story EVERYONE jumped to their feet and started clapping
and cheering.


If you have a story about how you just bought a new suit and you look really good in it,
maybe in real life no one noticed it was a new suit, but in your story, you should make it
a point to say how EVERYONE was checking you out, and you had guys asking who
your tailor was, and women asking you out on dates.


See how this works? You’re basically building social proof into the stories you tell.
Obviously, there’s never a moment in time where EVERYONE does the exact same thing,
but realize – stories aren’t about facts. They’re about how you see the world. If you felt
like everyone was checking you out, that’s how you experienced it (plus, it makes for a
better story than just having one or two people notice you!).


Here are a few generalizations to be aware of when telling stories:



  • Everyone

  • Always

  • Everywhere

  • All The Time


Use them whenever you feel necessary, and if people call you on it by saying “I’m sure
EVERYONE wasn’t checking you out,” or something like that, stick to your guns and
respond with “Yes they were! I’m telling you, EVERYONE was checking me out! It
ALWAYS happens EVERYWHERE I go when I’m wearing that suit.”


Remember, if you believe it, your audience will too.


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