Do you have any “back-from-the brink” stories?

Inspirational stories tend to take two forms: 1. How people succeeded.  2.  How people failed, and what they learned from failure.  There’s a third form, however, that’s little used but highly effective: “How I (or someone else) almost failed.”

 

People are intrigued by tales of how someone was this close to success when circumstances got in the way.  For instance, the story of a successful sale takes on added interest when the storyteller brings listeners to the edge of disaster and then pulls them back with a tale of triumph.  Consider that the next time you’re trying to motivate listeners.  Despite the trite warning to “cut to the chase,” listeners really want to hear the details, not just the happy ending.  That’s the story that gets their attention.