The Museum of Your Life

If a life is worth living, it’s worth recording. How many of you keep a weekly or monthly journal? How about old business cards from past employers? How about newspaper clippings of recognition or old sales handouts from when your business was younger? I guess I’m kind of a historian when it comes to my life. I have lost some of my earlier materials that I ponder on with some regret.

 

Whenever we move on to something new I archive the old. Computers are great for that, especially in the agency world, because everything is captured graphically. It’s my goal when we turn ten years old (that’s 3.5 years from now) to have a dedicated space chronicling our journey. We have pictures of our original office and office number two, as well as moving day pictures and old ‘stuff’ that tells our story.

 

Inspiration comes from stories. How well do you tell your story? I was told once, that if you really want a point to be driven home, tie it to a story. When a new associate joins our team they are brought by our original home within the first six months. They not only get a tour of the current office: here’s the bathroom, kitchen, copier and fax, but they get a tour of our history. This will make much more impact when the museum is put together.

 

Think about your kids and grandchildren. The greatest gift we can give is our story–a story which allows a tangible bond between people. I still tell stories of my grandfather’s miniature golf business he started in 1929. Our family has pictures of him with a big ‘ole smile in front of his promotional vehicle. It failed miserably but it was just one of his many ventures, his last finding success.

 

It’s not arrogant or boastful to start keeping a journal, audio, or video diary. It’s not about you. You’re recording your thoughts, dreams, successes, and failures for your descendents. It’s these little pieces that become your immortality!

 

Joe Kiedinger

 

Action Plan: See Joe live today at 3 pm at the Meyer Theater in Downtown Green Bay! Learn more!