Notice Your People: an Exploration in Why These People Who Matter the Most… Matter

Sometimes, the noise in your life makes you overlook the tiny stories that define: meaningful. It happens to the best of us—me included! These stories exist all around you, everyday. Each story is an opportunity…

When you notice these stories, and—even better—when you respond to them, your heart feels fulfilled and awake.

You savor the goodness and learn from the hard. The noise softens. Relationships flourish. And, you even create your own intentional serendipity in your day-to-day.

We miss our stories when we’re caught up in our to-do lists, our worries, and even in our ambitious, well-intended personal development. The sum of it all is what we call “noise.”

So, let’s talk about less noise, more noticing. 

You already know who matters to you… but when was the last time you sat with why they matter? 

When was the last time you rose above the day-to-day and made them feel seen and valued?

It’s ok if it’s been awhile, because you can start today! 

My favorite exercise for the occasion: Notice Your People

I’ll outline the steps below, but you might want to grab this guided workbook as a keepsake for your responses. I’ve put together a gorgeous PDF that includes: 

• this guided exercise to uproot stories around how you see important people in your life (with extra prompts that aren’t in this post)
• Space right in the PDF to do this for 5 people
• and it includes the 5 ideas for what to do with the stories that come up for your life, relationships or business (listed below—you’ll want to bookmark these, so the PDF does that for you)

Click here to get Notice Your People.

Rather listen instead of read? Here you go (otherwise read the steps below the video):

Step 1: Pick one person.

Think: spouse, child, parent, BFF, grandparent, fur baby, a mentor, a co-worker, neighbor, cousin, anyone important!

You can do this for more people later, but start with one. 

Step 2: Write three past or living memories that come to mind of time shared with each person.

Example: Mom & I spent many summers jamming out to Whitney Houston on the wayto the family cabin with a giant bag of gummy bears from Sam’s Club.

Need help? There’s question prompts to uproot those memories in the PDF here.

Step 3: Jot down what vivid mental image comes to mind for each person.

Things that make you say, “That’s so [insert their name]!” Example: I see Grandpa in his workshop, wearing his oil & grease-stained overalls, taking pride in his work, and creating a new piece of furniture.

Need ideas? There’s 7 things to think of in the Notice Your People workbook.

Step 4: When finished up to this point, assess what you’ve written for each person. 

Get messy. Star the stories that *most* tug on your heart. Highlight the ones that are undocumented (no pictures, etc.). Underline the ones that are ideal to use—as a story to say, “Thank you for the memory,” to reflect on further and identify how it’s impacted or shaped you, or a story to tell in your business.

There’s FIVE more prompts inside the Notice Your People workbook, but you’ve done enough work for now. If you want the rest, click here to download the guide. 

Let’s talk about what you can do with the tiny stories that popped up! Here’s 5 ideas: 

Document the un-documented stories in the format of your choice.

Think: photography, audio, in a journal, in a letter, in a video clip, etc. Documenting isn’t just for the memories and documentation—the act of documenting helps anchor in these stories you’ve noticed and helps you NOTICE MORE of ‘em as you live (#reinforcement).

Check the stories you’ve been telling yourself.

Did you spot any moments of impact that shifted *who* you are recently or once upon a time? Something you’re glad you learned or wish you hadn’t? What can you learn about yourself or what you’ve been believing? Decide if that thought or belief is serving who you are today… or change it.

Use this as an opportunity to strengthen a relationship.

Don’t tell your loved ones you love them… tell them why. Send a text. Pick up the phone. Have a conversation. Write a letter. Whatever your fancy. The ball’s in your court.

Assess the noise.

What noise prevents you from thinking about this stuff more often? What noise prevents you from responding to all the high level ideas you have for richer connection? What can you do about that now?

If you’re in business, write out a brand story seed for your business.

These stories make your brand human and make your audience feel connected to you, not just your work. People do business with people. So, seed that connection with Y-O-U through a few of your best, personal stories. Start with the stories you love to tell friends.

So there you go. There’s lots you can do with those stories!

Here’s the thing: You’re in control of the noise you allow into your life and that noise oftencomes with a cost. 

We don’t have to wait for weddings and new babies and funerals to savor our stories or to create belonging for the people we adore.

When you practice the art of noticing, you’re abundant with opportunities everyday. You can experience life fully awake—unafraid that you’re missing it while trying to keep up. The more you practice noticing, transformation in the way you respond happens.

At first, YES… all this noticing and responding practice feels like something extra on top of your already full plate. That said, when you keep at it, soon enough it replaces heavy items on your plate. It becomes something you do instead of, not “on top of” and you won’t even miss those things that no longer serve you..

Then, noticing and responding operate on autopilot.

You live wide awake and besieged by serendipity: finding something valuable and delightful when you’re not looking for it. Isn’t that fun?!

We just have to slow down and pay attention more often.

That’s what I’m here to help with.

Speaking of, if we haven’t met, I’m Marie Masse (pronounced Moss) and I’m obsessed with spotting & using the stories of our lives. I created Dangerously Good Stories to help people, like you, live awake and aware of the stories that matter.

Here’s to less noise, more noticing and doing life fully awake!

You might like this article: Noise-Reducing Activities that Increase Connection in Your Life and Business

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