5 Minute Life Story (FMLS)
This is the first step for a story-sharing group. It can also be used as an introduction tool for a group that is not planning to continue meeting but wants to jump start their connectivity. Here are some basic guidelines:
- The ideal maximum group size is six people (if you're curious, here's why six is best max)
- Whoever wants to go first... goes first
- Someone start a timer and give a one minute warning
- When you are done sharing, say "I'm done" or something of the sort. Everyone takes a collective breath, shares simple appreciation, and then the next person goes.
- You are not obligated to answer all the questions but don't skip too many
- Curiosity is the standard - no judgement, fixing, meaning making, or counseling.
- If you are the third storyteller, remember it is 5 minutes, not 50 ;)
- Once everyone has gone, let the first story share-ers have a chance to fill in anything they may have forgotten and been reminded of
- If your group is going to continue, you can do another round of 5 minute stories using a prompt that came up during the FMLS experience or you can choose from more story prompts on this page. Scroll down to Round two, three, and so on.
This is the first step for a story-sharing group. It can also be used as an introduction tool for a group that is not planning to continue meeting but wants to jump start their connectivity. Here are some basic guidelines:
- The ideal maximum group size is six people (if you're curious, here's why six is best max)
- Whoever wants to go first... goes first
- Someone start a timer and give a one minute warning
- When you are done sharing, say "I'm done" or something of the sort. Everyone takes a collective breath, shares simple appreciation, and then the next person goes.
- You are not obligated to answer all the questions but don't skip too many
- Curiosity is the standard - no judgement, fixing, meaning making, or counseling.
- If you are the third storyteller, remember it is 5 minutes, not 50 ;)
- Once everyone has gone, let the first story share-ers have a chance to fill in anything they may have forgotten and been reminded of
- If your group is going to continue, you can do another round of 5 minute stories using a prompt that came up during the FMLS experience or you can choose from more story prompts on this page. Scroll down to Round two, three, and so on.
The Five Minute Life Story Questions
- Where and when did your story begin (birth)? What were the news headlines during that decade?
- What is or was the geography and weather like where you have lived so far? Has the setting of your story been mostly urban, suburban, or rural?
- What is or was unique or memorable about other characters in your story (your family, schooling, and friend group)?
- Describe your culture, race, and/or ethnicity. Are there foods or traditions that are unique or special in your story?
- How do you spend your time (favorite subjects, hobbies, sports, chores, work, causes, etc)?
- What is a well remembered book, movie, or story? What characters do you like and why?
- What were the main events and/or relationships of your story that were a positive influence on the character you are now?
- What do you want?
- What’s your unique capacity (superpower)? What do you have to offer to the world?
- What do you need from your community to make your unique capacity most useful?
Advanced Five Minute Life Story Questions
For groups who have experienced the FMLS and are ready to take the next step toward building belonging with their stories, here is a set of FMLS prompts that will take you a little deeper. Your group should choose collaboratively to engage with the Advanced FMLS prompts and consider the Response Level they want to agree on. They are listed below.
For groups who have experienced the FMLS and are ready to take the next step toward building belonging with their stories, here is a set of FMLS prompts that will take you a little deeper. Your group should choose collaboratively to engage with the Advanced FMLS prompts and consider the Response Level they want to agree on. They are listed below.
- How did the social-cultural-political environment of your early years influence you as the character in your story?
- What role did you play or avoid in your family, schooling, friend group?
- How does the geography, weather, urbanization of your childhood influence your sense of belonging in the geography, weather, urbanized circumstances you are experiencing now?
- What elements of your culture, race, and ethnicity have you integrated into your character structure? What have you left behind?
- How does the way you spend your time represent your values?
- What experiences or perspectives do you relate to your “favorite” book/movie/story?
- What are the results of the influential events and people in your story now?
- How does what you want define you as the character of your story?
- To what extent is your superpower being fully offered to your community?
- What unmet needs would increase the positive impact of your superpower?
Response Levels
- Gratitude - receive the story and express gratitude
- Curiosity - curious and clarifying questions as well as observations without implied meaning making
- Articulation - identification of characteristics, outputs, and inputs
- Generosity - work on the shared purpose of the group