The Power
Of Narrative
Helping Clients Find and Embrace Their Most
Powerful Personal Story
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 2 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
The Power of Narrative
Why
Clients have the most powerful of all resources: the ability to use their personal stories to create the life they want to live.
Thoughts, intentions, and beliefs all have power.
As you help organize their financial matters, you can help them activate their idea for the next best chapter. The narrative is the underlying source of a personal reinvention.
We create the life we live.
When
In all four stages of transitions. Or any time the desire comes up.
How
Intentionally track the elements of the big vision.
Use resources to support the narrative rather than the resources to dictate
the narrative.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 3 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
All Four Stages
Anticipation Stage Introduce the concept of a personal narrative. Explore how their story is changing. Include how the stories of others may be changing as well. Possible protocols- Bliss List, WIT List, DFZ, and
Scenario Testing.
Passage Stage Keep options open. Explore and give more dynamic focus to narrative. Allow for space and time between discussions. Encourage possibility thinking. Scenario test and use One Pagers to illustrate. What-If workbook.
Ending Stage Be mindful that the narrative may be shaped by decisions made. Build an awareness of the impact of the client’s changing narrative on others.
New Normal Keep the client's narrative in your mind as you continue to work with them. Allow for it to change and adapt to their new version of status quo. Help them use the elements of their narrative as reference points for choices and
decisions.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 4 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Personal Reinvention
Imagining
Designing
Pacing
Adapting
Constructing
Emerging
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 5 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Your Role As Thinking Partner
Remember the importance of a narrative: Listen for clues. Give feedback. Open up possibilities. Track the elements. Arrange resources to support the narrative rather than the resources dictating the narrative. Use the primary elements as references points.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 6 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Listen For Clues
What Is The Current Narrative
Heart's Desires Fears and Dreads
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 7 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Intentional Wealth by Courtney Pullen
Assertions vs. Assessments
Suppose I make two statements: I am a man and I am tall. What is the
difference between the two? "I am a man" is a fact. It is an assertion that
can be measured and proven. "I am tall" is subjective, an assessment that
is an opinion or judgment. (Of course, in some specific circumstances, a
statement such as, "I am taller than everyone else in this group," could be
a measurable fact.)
Problems arise when we allow assessments to live as assertions. It may not
cause much difficulty in my life if I assume "I am tall" to be a fact. It's a
different matter, though, if I live with an assertion such as "I am stupid"
and believe it to be an unexamined fact. I will conduct my life as if that
statement is true, when it is really an assessment. The result will be
damaging to my sense of self-worth, my relationships, and my career.
Similar damage is caused by the assessments we make about other people
that we treat as assertions.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 8 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Listen For Clues
This Is What I Am Hearing:
Repeated Often Inconsistencies
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 9 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Your Bliss List
As you make your Bliss List, start with naming what you want to be on the list, but make sure
you pay attention to the why section. Why do you want this item, experience, or relationship?
What difference will it make in your life? Then write down when and how much you think it
will cost. Not all things on your list will have a cost or even a specific date.
WHAT
WHY
WHEN
COST
RANK
Once you've made your Bliss List, try to number it in order of your priorities. The list can be
done many times, as it's normal for your ideas to change while you're in transition.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 10 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Anything You Want But Maybe Not Everything
If you could only do two or three things on your Bliss List
What would they be?
Top of the List
WHAT
WHY
WHEN
COST
RANK
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 11 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Living Your List
Now that you have your two or three top priorities right in front of you, in your own
handwriting – what comes next?
If it were possible to make this list a reality, would you be ready to live your list? How would it
feel if everything on the TOP OF THE LIST came true right now - no waiting, no drama - just
there as a normal part of your life?
What needs to happen next? What do you need to:
Do?
Learn?
Fix?
Plan?
Celebrate?
Give More Time?
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 12 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Seven-Steps Narrative
1. Introduce the concept of and importance of a personal story or narrative.
Suggest it's something for you both to pay some attention to and use as a
planning guide.
2. Offer some form of an organizing or tracking program – Bliss List pages or
Reinvention pages will work.
3. Listen for elements of their narrative and give feedback.
4. Establish a habit of brainstorming and possibility thinking.
5. Scenario test possibilities and illustrate on one page.
6. Identify the elements to be used as reference points for choices and decisions.
7. Encourage clients to write their narrative and occasionally revisit it or share it
with others.
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 13 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Third Quarter Topic Assignment
Personal Reinvention Complete at least one Narrative with a client.
1. Review the Seven Steps on page 12.
2. Determine how you will deliver the experience: a formalized process done in meeting with you, something they take home and report back when they're ready, or just a casual, continuous conversation.
3. Complete the fact pattern worksheet.
4. Submit a client’s written Narrative with their names removed. Meet with your study group to discuss the experience. Discussion points:
1. General overview of your experience using the exercise. What part is most comfortable for you?
2. How did your clients respond when first asked?
3. In what ways was the exercise valuable to them? Were there any 'light bulb' moments?
561-776-6209 [email protected] www.suddenmoney.com
NARRATIVE
Page 14 of 14 ©2015 Susan K. Bradley
Narrative
Client Name_______________________________ Date _____________
1. Context
Why was this exercise valuable to the client?
2. What was the client’s situation? How did the topic come up? What was their initial
reaction?
3. How long did it take to complete the process? Please list the steps taken and timelines.
4. What was their reaction to the completed version?
5. Did you have and use a list of important Narrative elements?
6. With whom did they share their Narrative and what were some of the reactions?
7. Would you consider offering the Narrative exercise to other clients?