That’s what I tell my 7yo India when she comes into the living room all downtrodden and glum-faced.
She’s brilliant at it.
You should see her: droopy shoulders, purple circles under her eyes, curly hair flopping and flying six directions at once. I mean the kid’s a master at looking miserable.
(Actually, my son can do it do, but his version includes bloodshot eyes. Master level stuff, I tell ya.)
So here’s how this plays out:
Indie droops and drags herself over to my lap. Leans in. Tells me her tales of woe, which sound like this: “wa-wah, wa-wah” for long stretches of time because I have zero idea what she’s talking about.
Zero.
Because context is everything and she’s in the second grade.
I have no idea why this friend is fighting with that friend over a Twizzler and I don’t care.
Okay, back to my story…
Then, I say, “Yikes! That’s big doings.”
(Hint: This works every time, no matter what the problem is.)
Then, she brightens up, smiles, and walks away.
So what the heck just happened?
I don’t know for sure.
I know it works…. 5 kids and they all seem reasonably adjusted, as in: they get good grades at school, they smile and laugh alot, and they amuse the living daylights out of me… so, we’re good.
Best guess: it has something to do with being noticed, acknowledged, and then blowing the issue WAY out of proportion.
Like this:
Step 1: “Hey droopy person. I see that you exist on my planet.”
Step 2: “Tell me your story.”
Step 3: “Wow! That’s a big deal!”
Step 4: Offer them something. (At my house, it’s usually popcorn, ice cream, or tea. But any solution will work… provided it’s relevant.)
Will my little story formula help you sell more of your products and services?
Yup.
Try it.
Tell me how it goes.
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