“Impact Venture Capitalists!”

Hello Team…

It’s no secret, I’m a fan of story. I’m a student of story. My mission and purpose in life, to impress upon more people the power of story. Impact Club exists, in a major way, for that reason.

To Build StoryEngines!

But how much of one’s personal life should someone share? Should I tell you, for example. Before I was married, that I my fiance almost left me? because after being rejected from medical school, 4 years in row, I fell into a dark place of self-loathing? Should I tell you that found alcohol. Should I tell you that I drank, got shit drunk, four, five nights a week? Should I tell you that my finance, now my wife, threw her engagement ring at me – saying eleven words to me that, to this day, I’ve never forgotten?

I bet you’re wondering what those 11 words were, that seared themselves into my brain?

Well, here they are:

“You can keep this f-ing ring. I’m not marrying a quitter.”

But…should I be telling you any of that? Does it change your perspective about me, based on what you thought you knew? Does it make me more human? Does it make me more flawed? Does it make me more relatable?

Folks, story is about connection.

We’ve all been through dark times. And no matter how bad those times get, someone else is out there right now, going through that same pain. Hoping to find someone that understands them.

From the book, Wired For Story, the author writes:

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“Don’t be uncomfortable about digging into your character’s psyches. Don’t hold back on the account of decorum. You have an idea, going in, what their issues are – it’s what you’re writing about.

Ask them embarrassing questions about it – the more personal, the better. Seek out the good, the bad, and especially the ugly, the messy, and the secrets they’d really rather keep to themselves. Nothing can be off limits. Rather than overlook their flaws, you want to pinpoint each one and then examine it under a high-powered microscope in light of their internal issue and goal.

Your goal is to allow them to be full, complete flesh-and-blood characters who, like us, are doing their best to muddle through against all odds. The essence of a story lies in revealing the things that in real life we don’t say out loud.”

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People love vulnerability and strength.

Bad stuff happens. But how does the character, you, those closest to you, etc., respond to that unfortunate and often painful experience? Do they cowher and hide. Or do they find strength in the adversity?

What tough decision were you forced to make?

What powerful life lesson was learned, as a result of that decision?

Folks – tell your story…

And don’t just tell it. Tell it with confidence. And conviction! People want to hear your stories, they do. It doesn’t matter if you’re a parent, a survivor, or a businessperson – you have stories inside you – let them out…

Contained inside, are the Life Lessons that Impact others!

TOUR THROUGH CALIFORNIA

Next week is a travel week.

The production crew and I go on the road.

Back to the airports.

April 25th, Impact Club Conejo Valley launches. Then April 27th, after a quick raodtrip, Impact Club Temecula holds it’s 2nd Event. In a span of just 3 days, think about this folks, nearly $30,000 will be donated to local charities.

I had another call with my tech team yesterday. As you know, I’m investing in the back-end infrastructure, so that instead of launching one or two Impact Clubs per month. We can launch 10 or more…

We have local co-founders ready, and in place. But from a logistics standpoint, we don’t yet have that capability to launch 10 at once. Soon though. My tech team thought, possibly, by the end of June.

We’ll see.

Because admittedly, I keep adding to the project. From each Impact Club we launch, we learn something new. “I guess we need a better check in process.” Or, “I didn’t see that coming…”

So one by one, we continue to solve these problems.

It feels like a slow process. But the end result, will have millions of dollars worth of impact on our local charities. So thank you for your patience. As we get closer, I’ll continue to update on progress.

KEEP INSPIRING OTHERS!

By the end of 2017, we will have raised millions to fund local charities.

-Ryan Fletcher

Co-Founder, Impact Club – forever Grateful.

PS: Encourage everyone you know to learn the Language of Story. If they do, life, business, fundraising, relationships, the attraction of opportunity, clients, money, love, etc. will be much easier for them.