The Stories Behind the Stories: Aisling aka Carmel

Send us Fan MailSHOW NOTESThe Stories Behind the Stories: Aisling aka Carmel Before going inside anyone else's story, I share my own. My success. My failure. My passion. And Aisling — the character whose three stories carry more of my real experiences than any other I’ve written. Writing myself as a character takes me somewhere I couldn't reach any other way. It creates the distance that allows me to go deeper. And shapes the personal into something universal — stories others can find themselves in. This episode is free.RESOURCES MENTIONEDListen to the announcement episode: Something New is Coming to WorkLife Stories from School of WorkLifeRead the announcement post: Something New is Coming to the Storytelling Newsletter Read The Stories Behind the Stories: Chapter - Aisling aka CarmelThe Art of WorkLife Storytelling: Creating Three Fundamental Stories That Define Your Identity  How to Tell Your Story in Job Interviews — James’s Failure, Success and Passion stories.1. Develop a Practice of Self-Awareness Self-awareness in WorkLife storytelling means recognising your natural patterns of meaning-making and narrative development.  It's about understanding which experiences you instinctively highlight or minimise, noticing what themes recur across your professional journey, and identifying the values that consistently emerge in how you interpret challenges and achievements.2. Develop a Practice of Observation Observation involves paying attention to how different stories affect both yourself and others. 3. Develop a Practice of Effective Self-Feedback Regular reflection on your WorkLife narratives provides essential insights for their continued development. This isn't about harsh criticism but about honest assessment of how accurately your stories reflect your authentic experience and values. 4. Develop a Practice of Insightful Self-QuestionsReflective questioning deepens your understanding of your three fundamental stories. These aren't formulaic prompts but thoughtful inquiries that reveal meaningful patterns in your WorkLife journey. 5. Develop a Practice of Writing Your WorkLife Stories Your professional experiences gain clarity and meaning when articulated as coherent narratives. Learning to write your Success, Failure, and Passion stories helps you recognise patterns, extract lessons, and develop a consistent professional identity. Your Three Stories Takeaway Questions Your Success Story. When did your work create an impact that went beyond what you expected?Your Failure Story. What moment of falling apart became the foundation for something real?Your Passion Story. What belief drives your work? Support the show