Want To Relate To Your Next Audience? Include THIS Key Moment

“I’ve had it! I can’t take any more! Something has to change!”

Think about a time in your life when you felt that way. You may have said those words about a business relationship, company or financial challenge.

Each of us has at some point felt like this.

Now think about when you’ve heard somebody else say those words.

Doesn’t it make you want to lean in and think, “I’ve been there before. Tell me more.”

It creates curiosity, doesn’t it?

How To Create This Feeling In Your Stories

If you’re not creating that type of response in your stories, chances are you’re leaving out a key moment. I call it the:

“I’ve had it!” moment.

How do you create this moment in your stories?

The best narratives take us on a journey. A character is living a comfortable everyday life. Then there’s an inciting incident. This pushes the person out of the daily comfort. This individual has one goal: Get back into the comfort zone.

But, they can’t do it.

This person tries different ideas. Family and friends offer advice. Hours are spent online reading countless pieces of conflicting advice.

The problem isn’t solved. With a looming deadline, the frustration builds until they reach the point of:

“I’ve had it! I can’t take this anymore! Something has to change!”

That is the low-point moment in the story.

If you’re talking about a relatable subject or journey to that of your audience, they’re going to feel it. They’re going to lean in and think, “That’s how I feel. Maybe you can help me. I want to hear the rest of this story.”

To make this moment as impactful as possible, it’s critical that you deliver it in dialogue. This means people need to hear your main character say what they’re feeling in their words. It can be internal or external dialogue, but we need to hear it.

How Most Speakers Deliver This Moment

Most speakers will say something like, “I got so frustrated I didn’t know what to do!”

Compare that to, “I stood in my office and thought, ‘I HAVE HAD IT. I CAN’T TAKE THIS ANYMORE. SOMETHING HAS TO CHANGE!”

Can you feel the difference?

Hearing dialogue increases the chance your audience will think, “I can relate.”

This also helps you earn their trust because it gives them hope. If your main character got through the problem, so can they.

There’s one other advantage to this moment. It’s the point when you introduce the Guide into the story. This is the individual who provides the solution, new perspective, or new idea. In many businesses stories, this is you/your company. You’re showing that you may have the solution your audience needs.

So there you have it. Or should I say you’ve had it?

Include this moment in your stories. This will have a positive impact and help you create an emotional reaction to your story.

Want help creating your “I’ve had it!” moment or other key moments in your story. Contact me at mike@speakingcpr.com.