We all know Shakespeare as the godfather of storytelling. The stories he wrote centuries ago are imprinted on our culture and consciousness. Even as we move towards a more modern and digital world, Shakespeare’s stories are classic and timeless. And I have had the opportunity to explore Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, and I would like to share that experience with you.
Globe Theatre: The Mecca For All Storytelling
If you’re a story coach, you’re gonna want to subscribe to this video and like it because today, we’re talking the godfather of storytelling.
Okay, so I just checked off a bucket list item for me. If we haven’t met before, my name is Jimmy Hays Nelson and before becoming a storytelling coach. My background was in acting as a performer and musical theater performer and I am standing outside of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre here in London. And this, this is the Mecca for all storytelling. When I tell people the most effective way to have an impact on somebody is telling a story.
Not just facts and figures and why their business helps them or whatever their cause is, but if you can really tell a story, if you can encapture something in a narrative form for somebody, then you can have a bigger impact. Well, if you think about Shakespeare, you want to talk about having an impact far beyond your years, hundreds of years, think of how many sayings and movies and other things have come from the stories that this gentleman told.
Making An Impact With Stories
It was really interesting walking through there and thinking that now in 2019 and hearing all the history of like when these stories were written that he probably had no idea the impact that he was gonna have, and I think that happens for all of us so much.
We don’t think our story’s good enough.
We don’t know or think that it’s really gonna have a big impact.
But if you have the courage, the wherewithal, to step out and tell a good story regardless of what you think about it, it’s not so much about what you think about it, right?
It’s about how that audience receives it. What do they do with it? Maybe it sparks a different version of that story. And that’s what Shakespeare’s stories did again and again and again. It gives us phrases. It created new parts of a language.
And so, for me, this was just a super humbling experience to be in the midst of the ultimate storyteller, to remember not to keep my stories to myself, not to prejudge them and think they’re not good enough. I’m gonna encourage you to do the same thing.
What’s your story?
I would love to hear from you. What’s your story? What’s that one that you haven’t told that you think is not good enough, that’s embarrassing, that maybe doesn’t put you in the best light?
Because I’m gonna tell you, the story that you’re hanging onto right now is the one that’s gonna impact people. The one that you’re not telling right now is the one that’s gonna create a cause. It’s gonna serve the most people. And if you need somebody to help you with that story, I would love to help you.
Thank you for taking the time. I’m gonna continue to take in this amazing experience here in London. I’m almost speechless for somebody who likes to talk a lot. Just keep telling stories. Tell a story. Change the world. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre! Done? Make sure to check out the rest of the blog for the rest of London adventures!