Want to receive my newsletter every week? Subscribe here. I’ll send you one newsletter a week that’s an energy jolt to you and your business. No fluff, just proven techniques for increasing your resilience and performing at your highest level.
We’re often waiting for the next big thing to happen.
The promotion. The speaking gig. Even just a friend from college coming to visit.
But here’s the problem with that, most of life is spent in the moments between moments. And if we only look forward to those milestone events, normal life seems boring by comparison.
Think about it. How many times have you seen people gathering together, physically present but mentally absent; scrolling through their phones instead of connecting with the humans right in front of them?
These seemingly insignificant micro-moments – that in aggregate compose our actual lives – are slipping by unnoticed.
The Moments We Miss
Last year, I was speaking at an event in Boston. Traffic was horrible, so I was almost late to my session. Cars were moving at the speed of lasagna, but my heart was racing 100 miles per hour. I also desperately had to use the restroom, which didn’t make matters any better.
In that moment, anxiety taking over, I started box breathing to calm down. Apparently, it works on your bladder too.
What’s interesting is that when I tell this story now, it’s these specific details – my racing heart, the bathroom urgency, my comparison of traffic to lasagna – that make people lean in and connect. Not the big, polished keynote that followed.
I mean, I crushed that keynote, but you get the point.
The Specificity Principle
Research in narrative psychology shows that our brains are wired to remember and connect with specific details. When stories contain precise, sensory information, they activate more regions of our brain than abstract concepts ever could. That’s why specific details make stories more believable, memorable, and emotionally resonant.
This is what I call the Specificity Principle; specific details create more trust and engagement than general statements ever will.
When we “zoom in” on tiny, specific moments – the expression on someone’s face when you deliver good news, the exact words your child used when they asked a profound question, the temperature of the coffee that burned your tongue during a crucial meeting – we create stories that resonate deeply.
These details aren’t just embellishments, they’re proof that you were actually present. That you were paying attention to your own life.
That’s why I focus on helping people live and tell better stories.
Living a better story means finally getting clear on who you are, what you want to do, and creating the systems that make it happen.
Telling better stories means crafting narratives – whether for social media, keynotes, or just dinner table conversations – that create genuine connection and increase both your impact and income.
But they both rely on the same thing; mindfulness. The willingness to be present in those micro-moments that most people miss.
Your Turn: Zoom In
What’s one small moment from your day that you almost missed by looking ahead to something “bigger”?
Try this: Drop this prompt into your notes app or journal:
“Today, the most interesting micro-moment I experienced was ________. The specific details I noticed were ________.”
The answers might surprise you, and they might be the beginning of your most compelling story yet.
Want to Master the Art of Storytelling?
If you’re ready to build influence, attract opportunities, and create deeper connections through your stories, join my upcoming Storytelling Masterclass.
You’ll learn how to:
- Transform everyday moments into powerful narratives
- Build a personal brand that reflects your authentic self
- Create content that resonates deeply with your audience
- Turn your stories into real business opportunities
Remember: The most meaningful parts of your story aren’t the highlights, they’re the moments in between that most people miss.
Stay present. Stay specific. Stay Savage.
—Terry
PS: The next time you catch yourself scrolling through your phone while waiting for “real life” to happen, look up. The story you’re meant to tell might be unfolding right in front of you.
Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or book a 1:1 call.
Forwarded this newsletter? Sign up here
