A shoe factory sends two marketing scouts to the region of Africa to study the prospects for expanding business. One sends back a telegram saying,

SITUATION HOPELESS STOP NO ONE WEARS SHOES

The other writes back triumphantly,

GLORIOUS BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY STOP THEY HAVE NO SHOES

Each scout perceives the situation in Africa through a different lens; each returns with a story that matches that perspective.

When you talk about your last job, your major relationships, the things that happened to you in 2013, what is your top story?

Do you lead with, “I injured my foot and couldn’t run for six months” or is it, “ I obsessively met and networked with a variety of creative entrepreneurs, set up a business model, and started playing around with watercolors and acrylics.”

Because both are true.

Our perspective informs our narrative, and our narrative shapes our future.