Good Day Brewers - Pang here! ☕

Say bye to August!

Let’s welcome September!

Something exciting is brewing!

It’d help you take your stories to the next level, where you’d be able to build strong relationships with your audience and turn them into friends and fans!

Previews will be dropping soon, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, enjoy this issue (brought to you by MamyPoko diapers).

Just kidding. I’m not sponsored by them.

Estimated reading time: 1,183 words — 4 mins 53 secs

Dialogue over Diapers

A few years ago, I attended a baby fair at the Singapore Expo.

No, I wasn’t there to buy diapers.

What were you thinking?

I had to reach into the warehouse to re-stock boxes of diapers.

Yes, I had a part-time job that paid me $10/hour just to do that.

These huge baby-milking companies have the funds to pull off large-scale events on a monthly basis offering huge discounts.

We’re talking as high as 70%, to clear old stock by encouraging customers to buy in bulk.

So these MamyPoko diapers sold like hotcakes during this period.

I was stationed at the aisle where a mountain of boxes containing diapers was stacked as high as a two-storey.

This guy, about six-foot tall in blue jeans and a grey T-shirt, approached me.

“Hi! Can I get 6 boxes of diapers?”

6 boxes? That’s insane!

Yes, each of those unsuspecting big boxes weighs 24 freaking pounds.

Who knew that baby diapers weigh that much?

This guy’s going to have some serious weightlifting to do. He might be able to skip a couple of gym sessions just because of this one.

Or, I could offer to help him with some of those boxes.

“Sure. Perhaps I could help you with some of these boxes,” I smiled at him.

“Of course. I couldn’t possibly carry all of them myself. I know I look like I lift weights, but that was actually a few years ago,” he joked.

“Did you drive here?” I asked.

“Yup! I did! Parked just outside the Expo center!” he replied.

So we carried these boxes and strolled towards the open parking space.

But I was curious—Why did he buy that many boxes?

So I lifted one of the boxes up in the air gesturing to him: “That’s a lot of diapers. You don’t look like a nanny with 10 kids to look after.”

He paused for a moment and looked at me, amused at my question.

Him: Well, I have twins to look after at home. And being a nanny certainly can’t pay for their expenses.

Me: So, what do you do?

Him: I run a headhunting firm. We hunt for talents all over the globe.

My curiosity got the better of me.
Why not do an “exclusive interview” with him?

Me: I’ve always heard that headhunting is one of the highest-paying jobs. Is that true?

Him: Absolutely. I once hired a CEO for a huge tech firm that netted me $150,000 in commissions.

Me: Wow, that’s insane. Do you travel frequently on the job?

Him: Yup I did. Just late last year, I spent 3 months in India hunting for a Chief Technological Officer in Bangalore. It’s an incredible experience there.

Me: But what about your family? If you have to travel frequently, how would you be able to spend time with your kids?

Him: I’d be handing my job over to my successor next month. I’ve been training him for 2 years. So I’d be able to spend more time with my kids now.

Me: Wait, so you’re retiring? How old are you this year?

Him: I’m 32. And yes, I’m retiring from this career and looking to do philanthropy.

Me: What? No way.

Him: I’ve invested in properties generating rental income and I spend a couple of hours checking in with the employees working at my agency each week. That’s about it.

While we were chatting merrily, he paused in his tracks.

“We’re here. Thanks for helping out! You can leave these boxes on the back seats,” he said.

I’m standing right in front of the smallest Audi I’ve seen. Bright red. With Doraemon stickers on the body of the car.

But I wasn’t ready to leave just yet.

It was a golden moment for me.

“If you can share one piece of advice, what would that be?”

“Be passionate in what you do.
My passion for people got me where I am today.”

As he finished his sentence, he got into the driver’s seat and drove off, leaving me star-struck.

• He wore a plain outfit

• He was humble about his business

• He drove a small Audi car

No way this guy’s a millionaire!

Who says it doesn’t pay to help?

Luck is created when you offer to help others.

Was this day any special?

No.

But I got lucky.

I created luck for myself when:

• I went that extra mile

• I initiated a conversation

• I made the best out of the time we had

All thanks to baby diapers.

Can you spot relatable moments?

• Getting baby diapers (only if you’re a parent)

• Working in a part-time job

• Attending a huge expo event

• Offering to go the extra mile

• Initiating a conversation with a total stranger

• And perhaps, meeting the occasional millionaire

Did any of these strike a chord in your heart?

Be sure to record these story ideas.

Don’t let them go to waste!

This incident happened eight years ago…

It took me a while to come up with the entire story.

Why?

Because I simply couldn’t recall all the details of that story.

But I did something which helped me out a huge deal.

And I’m certain it’d help you with your stories as well.

🔑 Mapping Key.

Here’s what I do when I have a hard time recalling the details of a particular story.

I simply scribble down the key details of the story.

I call this the Mapping Key:

• When (did it happen):

8 years ago when my friend requested help.

• Where (did it take place):

Singapore Expo baby fair.

• What (was my purpose there):

I was working there as a part-timer, helping out with re-stocking baby diapers

• Who (was involved):

A man in plain jeans and T-shirt; Me

• How (did it happen):

He bought 6 boxes of diapers which were heavy. So I offered to help him out. We took a stroll towards his car.

• Moment (where it happen):

Knowing he’s a millionaire and asking him for life advice

• Why (do I want to share this story):

To spread three important messages:

1. Going the extra mile to help others pays off in unexpected ways.

2. Don’t judge a book by its cover. There are plenty of wealthy individuals who dress humbly.

3. Passion is a key ingredient to success.

Boom!

Now I have all the key details of the story mapped out…

I just have to add more descriptive details and dialogue to make the story intriguing.

This will help you imagine the whole scene as if you were there.

Did I inspire a story within you?

Tell me about it!

I’ll see you next week with a fresh new story!

Your Barista,

Pang

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