I just turned 50 years old. A huge milestone. I have a lot to be thankful for, and I am.
A birthday tradition I started on my 40th birthday, and I returned to this year, is to tell my story to my children. I plan to update it and read it to them every 10 years.
So at our dinner table last night, after dinner, I pulled out my story and read it to my children and wife.
I wish my own father had done this with me. He remains a mystery to me.
Here are some tips I can share from writing my own:
Write it to someone specific. In my case it was my kids. For another friend of mine who has no children, I suggested he write it to his deceased father, and read it to his remaining family. A letter to his father about the life he’s lived and the person he’s become.
Write it in your own voice. Write it as a letter. You’re not writing a formal autobiography. Keep it simple. Write what comes out of you effortlessly. This shouldn’t be a lot of work.
Start at the beginning, where you were born, who your parents were, your siblings, where you grew up.
Pick the most impactful moments of your life. I talked about the time I walked into a store at age 12 and asked for a job. My entire life changed in that moment.
Pick some funny anecdotes.
It doesn’t have to be long. My original story when I was 40 clocked in around 1500 words. The updated version for my 50th was about 2000.
Celebrate the things you’re most proud of. This is your story.
Celebrate the things you’re most grateful for.
Most of what I added for my 50th update came from a blog post I made this past year, that I’m already living my greatest chapter.
You’re story is worthy of telling. Now is the perfect time to tell it. Who benefits when you do?
