The Art of Telling a Funny Story



Always include funny stories in your presentations or lessons. Check this out to learn how it's done.

Learn the art of storytelling.  

7 Surefire Tips on Using Stories to Parent More Effectively. By Mike Moore

There are three things that all young people strongly dislike...
1. Being preached at
2. Being put down by others, especially parents and teachers.
3. Being yelled at
 
As parents we know how difficult it can be to refrain from doing all three. When we're angry things just come out and we regret them right after the deed is done. Thank God for the phrase "I'm sorry."  

We all seem to have a strong tendency to preach to our kids. And why shouldn't we? We were on the receiving end of preaching for a long time when we were young. Now it's our turn.  

The main reason why we should never preach to our children is this: It doesn't work. As much as we want them to listen and follow our words of wisdom and advice, they won't.  

Well friends I have found the secret to preaching without them considering it preaching. In fact they will actually enjoy it and it will do a lot to bond you to one another.   "What's the secret?" I hear you asking excitedly! It's quite simple. Storytelling.  

Ever since we were children we have had a hunger for stories. " Tell me a story Mommy." "Tell me a story Daddy." were words that came out of our mouths at least once a day.   Our love of stories doesn't stop when we leave childhood. I read recently that adults listen to over 60,000 stories a year. This doesn't seem unreasonable when you consider that every conversation, every newspaper and newscast involves the telling of and listening to stories. Every time we ask someone what they've been up to or how things are going we are requesting a story.    

Here are 7 surefire tips on using stories to parent more effectively.  
1. Don't begin a story with " Once Upon a time . . . " unless you're dealing with very young children.  

2. Become aware of stories with a message while you read , listen and view the media.  

3. When you find a story you can use jot the story line down in few words.  

4. Practice telling the story in your own words. Feel free to embellish the story to suit your situation.  

5. When you tell the story let it speak to the listener.  

6. You can ask a question related to the story when you're finished but don't try to condition their response. Just listen.  

7. Keep your stories short and crisp. Don't get bogged down in detail.


Start by identifying the values and ideals your family cherishes and affirms and then start looking for stories.
For much more on The Art of Storytelling check out Mike's 60 minute audio CD here
http://motivationalplus.com/cgi/a/t.cgi?storytelling

A Thanksgiving Story To Remember

I found this story on Speaker Bob Prentice's Mr Attitude Site

 

 

The Hand

Author Unknown

A Thanksgiving Day editorial in the newspaper told of a school teacher who asked her class of first-graders to draw a picture of something they were thankful for. She thought of how little these children from poor neighborhoods actually had to be thankful for. But she knew that most of them would draw pictures of turkeys or tables with food. 

The teacher was taken aback with the picture Douglas handed in a simple childishly drawn hand.

But whose hand? The class was captivated by the abstract image. 

"I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food," said one child. 

"A farmer," said another, "because he grows the turkeys." 

Finally when the others were at work, the teacher bent over Douglas' desk and asked whose hand it was. 

"It's your hand, Teacher," he mumbled.

She recalled that frequently at recess she had taken Douglas, a scrubby forlorn child, by the hand. She often did that with the children. But it meant so much to Douglas. 

Perhaps from this story, we can learn that one of the most important things that you and I can give someone is a hand that reaches out to them in love.

Click here  for more on stories and storytelling Stories Touch Our Lives

Mr. Moore, Do You Remember Telling the Story About Josephine?

Why Telling Stories is a Must For Teachers, Speakers and Parents

I once met a former student I hadn't seen since his senior year in High School. After we made the usual comments about how nice it was to see one another he looked at me and said, " Mr. Moore, do you remember telling us the story about Josephine?" I replied, " Yes I do. Don't tell me you remember that story after all these years?" He then proceeded to tell me the entire story in detail. I couldn't believe it.

I'm sure he couldn't tell me anything about the academic content I covered in his senior year, but he recalled every detail of that story. It was amaziing.

Note: The story was used to get my students discussing a relevant issue within society...Racism.

My belief in the power of story to promote attenion and retention was validated then and continues to be in my contact with audiences throughout North America.

If you want to teach a lesson that will be recalled long after you are gone, tell a story.

For more on the Art of Storytelling plus a free copy of my 30 Life Lesson Stories CLICK HERE

Let me Tell You a Story...What Will Be Your Reality?

Two women turned seventy about the same time and were both
engaged in deciding how they would spend their remaining
years.

One decided to prepare for death and started selling her
belongings just keeping what she absolutely needed. She sold
her house and moved into a condo and just started to take life
easy.

The other woman named Hulda Crooks took a path less travelled.
She started training in preparation for grand adventures.

Where did her path take her?

Hulda Crooks became the first 91 year old woman to
successfully climb Mount Fugi in Japan.


The Secrets to Power Storytelling Revealed

Become a Great Storyteller

Become a Storyteller People Want to Listen To

Anyone who has heard me speak knows that I'm a big time believer in the art and power of storytelling. Every speech I deliver is generously laced with stories that amuse, inform, entertain and challenge my audiences.

Ever since we were young children we've had a hunger for stories and this hunger does not vanish with age. I read recently that we, as adults, listen to over 100,000 stories a year and I have no difficulty believing it. I think the number is actually higher when you consider that one phone call from a friend can contain over a dozen stories.

If I were asked to identify the secret to successful public speaking I would say, without hesitation, the ability to tell a great story.

Storytelling isn't just vital to public speakers, it is a very important skill to have in any social situation.

To learn more about how you can master the captivating art of storytelling in your personal and professional life visit my storytelling website.

The Transforming Power of Stories

As many of you know I am a professional speaker and committed storyteller. I doesn't matter who your audience is or how old they are they'll love you if you tell them stories.

You could be in a bar or at a house party telling a humorous or profound story, the fact is always the same... people love to tell and be told stories.

Notice that I stressed the words tell and told when referring to how stories are delivered. I did not use the word read. Anyone can read a story ( some better than others) but not everyone can tell a great story.

When you tell a story you make it your own. You can add or subtract details and add texture and suspense with your voice, gestures and facial expressions. In short you become an actor in your own drama and if you really know what you're doing you can have the audience in the palm of your hand in no time.

It is important to remember that we human beings have an insatiable appetite for stories. From the time we were children when we constantly asked our parents to,
"Tell me a story" until the present time nothing has changed. We love to listen to and tell stories.

Life is filled with experiences and when we share these experiences we are telling stories. When we listen to the experiences of others we are sharing their stories. Can you imagine life without stories? What would we talk about?

To validate this human hunger for stories all you have to do is observe what happens when you meet an old friend you haven't seen for some time. The first thing you want to do is find out what they've been up to. This is a request to be told stories.

This natural hunger for stories provides speakers, teachers, managers, parents and friends and with a powerful magnetic tool to connect with and hold peoples' interest and attention.

Stories inform, entertain and grab peoples' attention. Use them often and effectively and watch people come alive in your presence.

To obtain 5 Life Lesson Stories for use in lessons, presentations, conversations or with your childrem visit here.

If you ever need a fun speaker with a HUGE message Visit Here

30 Stories from Mike's Story Collection

Hi. I have recently put together a series of 30 stories from my collection of over 500 for your use and enjoyment. You probably know that I am an strong advocate of storytelling in speeches, sermons,seminars, classroom lessons and in general conversation. If you are interested in having 2 stories sent to you each week for 15 weeks for less than .75 a story. visit here. You can become the storyteller everyone wants to listen to.