Daydreams and Stories

How much time do you spend daydreaming? In his book Business Made Simple, Donald Miller states that people typically spend 30 percent of their day daydreaming. As a matter of fact, he writes that “much of the time we are talking with others, listening to speeches, scrolling through our phones, and even eating a meal, we are completely checked out.” According to him, this phenomenon is natural and has its benefits. It is nature’s way of conserving energy. However, the downside is that we may explain something important to a customer, client, boss, or coworker only to lose their attention to daydreaming.

There is one way to prevent others from daydreaming while we speak: storytelling. The minute we tell a story, people instinctively stop checking out and instead start checking in with the story.

In my own life, I can recall stories from speakers during my childhood. While I may remember little else, the story and its central point have stayed with me for decades.

The next time you find it challenging to engage someone’s attention, try telling a story. Who knows? They may remember it many years from now.

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