If you have been following my writing or my Daily Man Among Boys Message on social media, then you know that I talk a lot about knowing who you are, knowing your purpose, and of course, understanding that “you have what it takes” as a man. I personally believe that the biggest issue that men face, and the root of many other issues, is not knowing who you are. Do you know who you are?
Recently I listened to an episode from the GreatMan Podcast featuring Stephen Mansfield. In this episode, Stephen talked about the importance of knowing what he calls “Your Manly Story.” This story is how you explain to others in just a few minutes who you are and where you came from. It is a brief story of how you have lived as a man. Stephen is a masterful storyteller and many, including myself, have enjoyed his books, speaking engagements, and other resources that he has provided to impact the lives of others. I was fortunate to sit down with Stephen last year and talk about some of these things. He asked me my story and in the same manner that he described in this episode, he shared his with me.
Stephen’s message of knowing your manly story caused me to spend some time in thought about my own. I share many aspects of mine through my writing, but I am not sure that I have a three-minute elevator pitch that sums it up. I believe my story is powerful and I believe the same about yours. But, do we know how to powerfully tell it in a brief few minutes?
For me, it is important that I know my story and that I know how to tell it powerfully to others. This is part of my purpose and my calling. I realize that the greatest way I can lead and impact the lives of men is to share my own life with them. You may not share that same purpose and therefore do not see any reason why telling your story to anyone matters. First, I would disagree. I believe no matter what you are doing in life, your story can have a positive impact on someone. Second, even if no one else would impact from hearing your story, I believe that you need to hear your story.
I mentioned earlier that I believe the largest issue facing every man is not knowing who he is. The most important person who needs to think your story is powerful is YOU. You need to hear your story. You need to formulate your story of who you are, where you came from, and how you came to be as a man, for you to hear and to know. Who are you? If you don’t know who you are it is most likely because you have never sat alone with your thoughts and formulated the story, good or bad, of how you came to be. As Stephen emphasized, you cannot know where you are headed if you do not even know who you are.
I have written thousands upon thousands of words about my life and how I ended up where I am. Most of these are words that only I have read. Writing is my outlet for my thoughts, and I know that it is the same for many other men. Maybe your expression of your thoughts comes in the form of something else. Whatever it is, I encourage you to spend some time thinking about your life and fully understanding who you are. As Stephen encouraged, condense your story into a powerful brief few minutes that can be shared with someone who may one day ask you, “What’s your story?”
I also encourage you to listen to GreatMan Podcast, episode 272, that inspired today’s Weekly Whetstone.
Mansfield, Stephen, host. “The Talk: Your Manly Story.” GreatMan Podcast, 18 Apr. 2023. Apple Podcasts.
