With all the opportunities to tell your story in person as well as on social media – to comment on current events, to talk about movies, the Olympics, your friends’ behavior or anything else you would like to say, do you have an intention, or a personal set of guidelines about what you say and how you say it? Are you intending to communicate a particular impression about who you are?

Natalie Portman was quoted in the LA Times discussing her new movie “Jackie” where she plays the First Lady.

“What is really amazing and what the movie is largely about is how she shaped (JFK’s) legacy.” Portman said. “He was in office such a short time and didn’t really have time to accomplish much. But Americans still today, many call him their favorite president. And that was largely her storytelling. She invented Camelot.”

I think Lyndon Johnson had a big stake in creating that Camelot since he passed the legislation Kennedy proposed. But, the point of storytelling holds true. Why are we saying what we say? Is it because we are compelled to speak before we think about it? Do we create an intention in our minds before we speak?

My favorite of Steven Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is 2. Begin with the end in mind. It applies to how you convey information and meaning when you communicate in person or otherwise. By preparing before a meeting, before you type in that reply, or update on LinkedIn, by being intentional, not just reactive, you can shape your story to present a view of your best self.

This week, think about the message you want to communicate to your team, your customers/clients and the community. Pull a few stories from your past to help illustrate the point. Pay attention to your triggers and don’t take the bait. Have a great week!

illustration courtesy of http://divulgar-site.com/