The Power of Stories
I was watching the Beijing Olympics on TV and some of the profiles and stories they talk about in regards to the athleates, and it got me thinking about the power of stories. It’s really interesting how we as humans have always had these ageless stories about the struggling hero who faces some tough challenges but ends up prevailing in the end.
For example, let me tell you the story of two twin brothers named Alex and Andy.
Alex was born second and due to some complications at birth he had to remain in the hospital for two weeks after birth, while Andy was born healthy and was able to leave the same day. Alex always was the slightly smaller of the two twins and the kids liked to pick on him much more than they did with Andy. Growing up, Alex didn’t really get along with his dad and as soon as he turned 18 he moved out of the house on his own. He always felt that his parents favored Andy and he always felt a lot of resentment towards them.
After moving out, Alex went into the workforce trying to make ends meet and to pay for rent. He struggled at first, but eventually was able to get into a management position with the company he worked for which allowed him to finally start moving ahead financially. One day on his way to work a drunk driver ran a red light and side-swiped his car, putting Alex in the hospital with a broken leg, two broken ribs and a skull fracture.
While in the hospital, Alex had a lot of time to reflect on his life and he realized that he needed to make some changes once he recovers. He made the decision to leave his job and to pursue his dream of becoming a businessman. After some intense physiotherapy, Alex was able to leave the hospital and resume a semi-normal life, with the only semi-permanent disability from the accident being some really intense headaches which haunted him for over six months after leaving the hospital.
He decided to pursue his dream and started his own business. At first he struggled financially, but things eventually picked up and Alex now runs a multi-million dollar business employing 20 employees and loves what he does.
Andy, on the other hand, left home shortly after Alex and his parents were happy to pay for his college tuition. He went to college, but was much more interested in hanging out with his friends and going out on dates with girls than he was in studying. The subjects bored him and after a few semesters, he decided to drop out.
Prior to moving out of his dorm though, he had a few conversations with his roommate who had a business idea which Andy thought was really cool, so they started their own company together. Andy’s job was to find customers for the software which his friend was building. Andy’s friend was a computer whizz and he built a piece of computer software which they ended up selling to a bigger company for 250 million dollars, just 6 months later. They split the 250 million dollars 50/50 and Andy now enjoys a “retired” lifestyle of someone who’s completely financially abundant.
The end.
Now, of course these are just fictional characters. Andy and Alex don’t actually exist. But while reading these stories, did you feel more connected to any one of the characters? Did you feel sorry for Alex and were you happy when things finally turned around for him?
Did you do the same when you read Andy’s story? Or did you feel that Andy is just a spoiled kid who never worked an honest day in his life?
The stories I wrote are not as dramatic as what we hear out there or see on TV, but it is very interesting that most of us are addicted to the whole story of the person who had a really tough life and struggled with everything only to prevail in the end. It’s like we feel that there must be suffering before there is success. Any story we hear of someone who just had success easily is always approached with skepticism. Have you ever seen a 19 year old kid in a $100,000 car? What did you think? Did you think “Oh my God, this kid must be a financial genius, I should see if I can ask him some questions and get some advice!” or did you think “What a spoiled little brat. His daddy bought him that.” or “Drug dealer!” 
What do these stories tell us about ourselves?
What options do they present us with?
What kinds of things do they attract into our lives?
If you became an Inspired Money Maker tomorrow, really easily, would your story be too easy and boring to tell? Are you purposely complicating things just so that you have a better story to tell later on in life?
Something to think about.
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| 8 Comments
I’m only 27, and my story is a crazy one. If I hit it big tomorrow (which I wouldn’t want to) I could compile a 37 volume archive on my life story up until this point.
Stories are great, and it’s the sole reason why I watch movies, read blogs, and read books - for the writing and the story.
Good stuff.
Hi Paul,
My guess is that the reason why that story appeals is that we all start out midgets in a land of six foot giants. People have a longer childhood and need to learn much more than other critters.
For me the interest in the stories is about the people and their character. Some people are tempered by struggle, others soured. Some of the fortunate are hospitable and give generously others believe they deserve it all. This is where the interest in the stories is for me.
Thanks for a thought provoking post.
Dear Paul.
i am retief. 23 years old . this is second time i writing to you . i found your blog really great .
i read you passion project that is amazing. but i have to say that i do not know what to do . how to do aleady . do not speak i am stupid. so could i ask you that what i can do make money .
my situation is that i was graduated from college last year . now i am working in an foreign trade company . it is hardly to make money working here. i want to make money . i need money . it is hard to live without money . everything will be impossible with no money . so i do not know what i am interest except money . could you provide help . ??????? what should i do now??????? i hope that you can give me reply to my mail box . take your time . i know you are quite busy. waiting for yourrr help
So what would happen if tomorrow we all got a million dollars from some source, like an inheritance, lottery, a donation or something else and invested it in something that paid us 100k/year for the rest of our lives and we lived financially independent ever after. Still had other life problems to deal with as usual, but money was no longer an issue.
What would that do to your “story”?
When you ask yourself that question and honestly listen to the answers and thoughts that cross your mind, you can really learn what it is that’s REALLY holding you back from having financial abundance TODAY.
So true Paul.
So true.
thanks Mr Paul . i know your point that Money is not always an issue.but sometimes it is really something . i need it to buy house . car. and support future family . Lack of money makes me upset.
i do like to make money with positive attitude . in fact . i am not the guy just thinking of money . i like sports. (especially billiard) .play with friend together . i studied chemistry in college but i do sales now . because i do not like that job so i quit and got this one. …
i like present job. but i can not make money to support life just by this job . i have a girlfriend. i love her so much so i want to try my best to give a perfect life . so i am thinking how to make money and then possess our own house car . ..
thanks Paul
thanks Mr Paul . i know your point that Money is not always an issue.but sometimes it is really something . i need it to buy house . car. and support future family . Lack of money makes me upset.
i do like to make money with positive attitude . in fact . i am not the guy just thinking of money . i like sports. (especially billiard) .play with friend together .
i like present job. but i can not make money to support life just by this job . i have a girlfriend. i love her so much so i want to try my best to give a perfect life . so i am thinking how to make money and then possess our own house car . ..
thanks Paul
My wife and I had a discussion very similar to this not long ago. Somehow the question arose of whether it would be better to hit the lottery for millions, or build a successful business from the ground up and make millions. She couldn’t understand why I chose the “company” route. It’s great to know I’m not the only one.
T