Who Says There’s Nothing Interesting About You?

“Nothing is interesting about me.” I hear that all the time.

So often, we view our lives through a comparison lens and undersell the value of our experiences, no matter how mundane or extraordinary. We then conclude that we don’t have stories worth sharing.

Are you digging for your gold?

Well, that’s not true — no matter who you are. Your life is a goldmine. You’ve been through trials, turmoil, and triumphs.

You’re human, aren’t you?

Are they gone? Good.

Now that we’ve scared away the aliens let’s talk about how to uncover your treasure trove of stories that leave others spellbound.

One of my clients asked me to help him develop a presentation for a group of students obsessed with TikTok. He had good ideas but kept assuring me that there was nothing unique or exciting about him.

“Leopold, I worked for ten years as a celebrity bodyguard. They have tons of stories, not me!”

“What are you doing now?” I said.

“Well, I left my job because I’m growing old and studying psychology until I figure out what to do next.”

See those seemingly contrasting experiences? And he thought nothing was special about him!

What compelled a person from being a bodyguard — a role typically associated with physical protection and assertiveness — to studying psychology — a realm of emotions, cognition, and understanding human behavior?

What might he have witnessed that arose his interest?

What can he say about protection or the conduct of celebrities that would offer students a new perspective on fame?

That is where the heart of the story lies.

It’s in the intricate thread connecting the dots. The fascination is in the transformation, the ‘why’ behind choices, and the unexpectedness of our journeys. You, too, have been transformed in many ways, and we need to hear your story to pursue our own, armed with reflections and wisdom.

Stories are everywhere, even in your local bar. Stay aware.

So how do you uncover your stories? When in doubt, dig deeper.

Try completing these sentences:

I LOVE _____

(Write down anything you are passionate about, significant or trivial).

I FEAR ______

(What scares you? What terrifies you? Significant or trivial).

LIFE IS _____

(Articulate your philosophical viewpoint on life).

Suppose you say:

I LOVE watching Netflix series. I FEAR heights. LIFE IS unfair because it seems that people get rewarded even when they don’t deserve it.

At first glance, these statements might seem unrelated, but they are puzzle pieces of your narrative.

You value Netflix series — why? Perhaps because they offer a way to explore alternate realities, to live vicariously through the characters, or to see justice unfold in ways it doesn’t in real life.

You fear heights — how does this fear show up in your life? Is it merely about physical heights or symbolic of worrying about big goals or significant life changes?

You believe life is unfair — why? Maybe you have witnessed or experienced injustice, fueling your quest to seek fairness in your career, relationships, or community work.

These simple, introspective connections can trigger recurring themes and reveal a story uniquely yours.

I delivered a presentation in Serbia about a new concept called ‘Loveshake. I couldn’t have discovered it without digging deeper into my relationship with my late father.

To become a prolific storyteller, you need to be an active participant in life, to be aware of what’s happening — and to reflect on what has happened.

Go back to your childhood. Relive the moments when you said ‘yes’ to something that terrifies you now. Or when injustice left an indelible mark on your view of life.

Someone once told me she would never forget her oath at age ten. She was facing the wall, on her knees, in front of her classmate for 2 hours. Why? Because she dared to give her honest opinion and challenge her teacher’s ideas.

“Leopold, I promised myself never to be honest again!” Her words made me feel as if she was talking to the wall.

It took her years to realize that honesty is not merely for others; it’s a form of respect for reality and oneself. Such memories can reveal profound wisdom hidden within.

So, what happened? What’s happening? And what are you doing to make it happen?

Inquisitiveness and exploration are the allies of a compelling storyteller.

Go to a party where you know no one. Travel to a city you’ve never been to. Have conversations with older people and ask them about current issues. Learn a new skill. Delve into old photographs or journals. Teach a complex concept to a child. Just explore! These might sound daunting, but the most thrilling part of your story is the one yet to be written, which you will only discover when you accept life’s invitation to live it.

The art of storytelling and public speaking is an intrinsic part of our existence. But, It’s not about standing on stage and attaining fame; it’s about living fully, sharing your wisdom, and touching lives.

There’s gold within you. All you need is the courage to mine it.

If you enjoyed this article, follow and connect with Leopold Ajami on Linkedin.

Leopold is a Creative & Strategic Consultant and a Public Speaking/Communication Coach. He’s the Founder of Novel Philosophy, a professional coaching academy for future leaders.

Additional Resources:

Read “The Anatomy of Air: 10 Public Speaking Tactics from Vaccaro’s Speech to Michael Jordan.” I also developed a workbook to help you apply the 10 tactics. Contact me on Linkedin, and I’ll send you a copy.

Dive deeper into: Decoding Clarity and Stage fright is Not about the stage.

Check out Leopold’s Podcast: Ideas On Trial.

Do you want to become a Though-Leader? Invest in your Public Speaking & Communication skills. As a thank you for reading this article, you’ve got free one-month access to Leopold’s SPEAKERS INNER CIRCLE. (claim your spot).med