Do you ever struggle with choosing a good story for a piece of content you’re creating?
Maybe it’s a blog post. Or an article. Or a presentation.
At times, it can feel as if you’re forcing yourself to use a story for the sake of storytelling. Which can make your overall narrative feel disconnected.
Trust me, you’re not alone.
Jerod Morris had an idea. Actually, he had a word — Primility — land in his head in 2005. 
Primility is the combination of the words, “pride” and “humility.” Two traits that can feel in opposition to one another. Can you be proud AND humble?
Primility is what I call Jerod’s “root narrative.”
A root narrative is a foundational mission, vision, value, promise, purpose or idea that propels a person, team, community or organization.
Like a root note in a chord, it holds your individual stories in harmony.
Jerod’s Primility root narrative is that we should keep pride and humility in balance in our lives. This frees Jerod to create and find stories that give meaning, depth and purpose to his root narrative.
Yesterday, he invited Peter Morneault to guest post on his Primility site. Peter is a reader of this blog. And he’s a terrific storyteller.
Today’s storytelling exercise:
- Read Peter’s Primility post — yes, the alliteration was irresistible — and learn how a sweet, scared dog with no lower jaw smiles.
- Notice how Peter uses storytelling to support Jerod’s root narrative of Primility.
What is your root narrative?
Write it in the comments below. Or email me. I’m very interested in this. And may use your example in future pieces I’m working on around root narratives. (With your permission, always.)