EP3: The Power of Six Word Stories
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Welcome to Becoming Aligned AF, a podcast about redefining success, finding your flow, and building a life that actually fits who you are.
We're ditching the "shoulds" and getting down to what feels unapologetically right. This isn't about fitting into anyone's version of success or settling for what's good enough. we're here to make moves that actually feel authentic to who we are.
This journey is all about clarity, confidence, and alignment so deep it makes you wonder why you ever settled for anything less.
We're diving into the messy, beautiful, and downright bold process of building a life and a business that not only look good on paper, but actually make you feel alive.
Consider this your permission slip to do things on your terms, intentionally, unapologetically, and with a little fire. Because when you're aligned AF, you're unstoppable.
So if you're ready to get real, break some rules, and design a life that actually feels like yours, Let's get to it.
Hi, and welcome to Becoming Aligned AF, where we dig into what it means to live in authentic alignment and talk about how to get there, Without skipping over the most important part, the messy middle. I'm your host, Steph Woods, and I'm a clarity coach, visual communication expert, educator, and best selling author.
I'm also a pug mom, 2/4 sacral projector in human design, an Enneagram 2, and a lifelong learner who's fascinated by the big question of what does it mean to actually feel aligned? And then how do I get there? Today, I'll be sharing a tool that we're going to keep coming back to. It's called six word stories.
So what is a six word story? It's exactly like it sounds. You get six words, just six, to capture a story, an experience, or a feeling. Six words to get to the heart of something. And it's a concept I'll be coming back to throughout the show. In fact, every time I bring on a guest, I'll challenge them to kick off our conversation with their own six word story.
To give you a taste, I'm going to give you my six word story for becoming Aligned AF, and that is: authentic self, aligned goals, unlimited potential. And that's really the heart of this podcast, embracing who you are, setting goals that feel true to you and unlocking growth that's actually meaningful and fulfilling.
And if you're wondering why only six words, it's because of the impact that just a handful of words can make.
Let's look at Ernest Hemingway's famous example. For sale, baby shoes. Never worn. Only six words, yet there's a whole world of heartbreak packed into that one little sentence. they really make you stop and feel, right? And that's what makes it so brilliant. Six words that leave so much unsaid, but still say everything.
Each one is short, but you instantly get the energy, the vibe. They're like little inside jokes with anyone who knows the story. And if you think about it, we can use this idea for ourselves, too. Whether it's your personal life, your brand, or the thing that keeps you going, six words can help you tap into what truly matters.
Six word stories aren't just for expressing powerful emotion. Pop culture is full of moments and characters that could easily be boiled down to six words. Let's play with some that I asked Chat GPT to help me write and give you an idea of what I mean.
Here's a six word story for Friends. We were on a break, period.
How about one for Ted Lasso? Kind coach, inspires team, hope wins.
Or what about the Disney movie Mulan? Disguised warrior. Honors family. Breaks tradition.
Here's one for Kim Kardashian: reality star. Influencer. Redefined fame's reach.
Or Harry Potter: boy Wizard, Found Family, Dark Defeated,
Taylor Swift: Heartbreak, Rebirth, Reinvention Repeat.
Or the show Breaking Bad: Chemistry Teacher, Desperate Choices, Legacy Shattered.
Game of Thrones: Winter Came, thrones Lost, Dragons Rise.
Or what about Rosa Parks? Sat down, stood up, changed history.
Or Malala? Silenced girl, survived, became voice worldwide.
Each one says so much in so little. And now, let's turn this idea inward. What's your six word story right now? How would you sum up this season of your life? And more importantly, what do you want your six word story to be a year from now?
Because alignment isn't just about where we are, it's about where we're headed and how we're moving there, one small step at a time.
And that's where this aligns with six word stories. To me, alignment is all about the small real actions that move you closer to your authentic vision of success. Whatever success actually means to you. It's not about throwing your life into chaos. It's about getting clear on what you want and making those small pivots that bring you closer to it.
First comes clarity. And without that, we're just making random moves with no direction.
So here's what I want you to think about today. What's your six word story for where you are now? And what's the six word story that you want to grow into? Maybe right now your six word story is something like: busy days, big dreams, feeling stuck. Maybe your aspirational story is: more joy, less hustle, truly thriving.
These little stories can give you a direction to work towards and check in to see how aligned you're feeling along the way.
Alright, that's it for today. Just six little words, but hopefully a big question to sit with.
I am so honored to have had you with me today on our journey to Becoming Aligned AF. I hope that this episode sparked some clarity, made you think, or even inspired a small shift towards the life that actually fits you. Remember, alignment isn't a one time destination. It's a practice: a series of small, intentional moves that get you closer to your own version of success.
If you're loving these conversations, make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. And if today's topic spoke to you, share it with a friend who could use a little nudge towards alignment too.
Alright, that's it for me. Catch you next time on Becoming Aligned AF. Until then, keep leaning into what lights you up.
