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Do you fall in that common trap of talking about the weather, health issues or family finances every time you talk to a new prospect on the phone or in person?
If you are daily talking to the same people, do you think regularly that there is nothing interesting left to talk about....and if you hear that "same old story" you're going to scream!
If they don't want to consider lives in a nursing home or retirement community, are you a clock watcher looking forward to ending your visit?
If any of these situations fits you, then it's time to step back and make some changes so conversations can be more meaningful for both you and your prospects.
The next time you them, it's time to empower them to reminisce in a new way---with a bit more structure than just stories swapped around the dinner table or typical small talk. It's important for you to take the lead on this and ask them questions that typically DON'T come up in normal conversation. Their stories actually have the power to transport both of you to a different time and place that only your parent or grandparent can share through the questions you pose.
These are things that you may have never discussed before, or maybe you have but you'd like to hear the story again and maybe actually record and preserve it this time.
These stories are an INCREDIBLE GIFT, and it's important for parents or grandparents to know that you actually WANT that gift badly. Okay, so you might be thinking you don't want the gift of their stories right now because you've heard it so many times or you're busy (or that you'll always remember that story so there is no need to write it down), but too many people regret not capturing the stories while they had a chance and they find it difficult to remember the details of the stories later no matter how hard they try. So many people tell me..."If only I would have written some of those stories down."
Let's stop for a moment and think about the importance of our mothers and fathers. Many of these men and women are considered the Greatest Generation. We all know they have lived through extraordinary times--the Great Depression, World War II (FYI--only 18% of the World War II veterans still remain with us), and massive changes throughout the 20 th and now the 21st Century. They were inventors of the incredible technologies we use today. They raised 77 million Baby Boomers for goodness sake! So they certainly have a life story to tell...but how will you help them tell it? How will you capture the essence of who he or she is while you have this chance? Wouldn't it be great to have their words of wisdom instead of just scrapbooks and an obituary some day to share with the grandchildren?
Okay, so let's look at a few starter questions for you to ask this week. Don't put this off--you've got some new things to learn from your parents that you don't want to miss. Every day is a gift, right? Have a pad of paper and pen handy (to write down his or her answers) and give it a try (if your parents are willing) by asking these questions either by phone or in person:
Question #1: What is the greatest invention that has come along in your lifetime so far? Why was this invention important to you?
Question #2: When you were a child or teen, what were your dreams and plans for the future? What did you want to be when you grew up?
Question #3: Remember a memorable or funny experience you had a on date.
Question #4: Where was your favorite place to live and what made that place special?
Question #5: It's been said that, "The best things in life are free." Is this true?
When it comes to helping our parents' record their life stories, there's no time like the present and no better gift to the future. Have fun and good luck!
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