I’ve admitted before that I’m a lifelong learner, and I’m thankful the Lord put that drive in me. Full disclosure … I wasn’t that good a student in school, so this desire to learn came to me a bit later in life. Part of it is curiosity about the world around us and the people God created. That curiosity has been greatly enhanced by the opportunities I have to travel internationally and meet great people from so many different cultures.

Part of this learning syndrome is seeking ways to improve myself, to learn from masters, and to recognize levels of excellence across many different arenas of life. Sports. The arts. Literature. Spiritual commitment in the lives of people I admire. Learning… always learning.

The Apostle Paul discussed the process of fixing our minds on the best things. You remember the admonition he gave to the believers in Philippi:

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Philippians 4:8 NLT

As a media professional, I try to find examples of excellence to observe and from which to learn. I’m sometimes surprised where that takes me. I often come across audition stories from the American Idol television show. Some of the performers are quite good, but it is usually the stories about those trying out that catch my attention.

Most of these vignettes are not faith-based. Yet many tell the story of overcoming hardship, including difficult home environments and economic downturns. Some emphasize the value of a family member or friend who has provided encouragement. Many are quite moving.

Storytelling. It is quite an art, but there is much we can learn by seeing how others craft their stories for maximum impact. Here are some quick points I have gleaned from those who are successful at telling stories for impact:

  1. Create a strong narrative arc. This is the storyline, with a beginning, middle, and end. There is usually some conflict in the story, and it is resolved in the ending.
  2. Keep your target audience in mind. Who is watching your story? Who do you want to influence?
  3. Appeal to emotions. The best stories touch our hearts and tug at our emotions. Use this to add impact to your story.
  4. Show, don’t tell. Use the tool’s visual impact to convey information…, not just words.
  5. Learn the power of composition. Shots, angles, and sequences of shots. Filmmaker Phil Cooke says to watch good videos and movies with the sound turned off. See how the filmmaker uses composition to move the story along and create impact.
  6. Draw from your own life experiences. Observe life. Slow down long enough to notice what is happening around you. Then think about how to apply what you are seeing in your story.

Phil Cooke quotes well-known American naturalist and author Henry David Thoreau:

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”

What do you see? How can you express it with excellence? What impact can your storytelling have on others? Work toward excellence in crafting your storytelling skills. Then see how God uses it to touch a life for His purposes.

God’s best,