How to find meaning by sharing

The speaker discusses the importance of sharing experiences to find meaning. They use the example of participating in the Great North Run, a large marathon, to illustrate how being part of something bigger and sharing the experience with others adds significance. They argue that sharing is essential for experiences to have meaning and suggest that when people achieve something, they should share it with others, focusing on the impact their actions had on others rather than highlighting themselves. Jeremy Dieter and welcome to Creative Change Insights for the 25th of January 2023. How to find meaning by sharing. The Great North Run is the world's largest half marathon with over 50,000 runners from elite Olympic athletes to first-timers. It is a challenge and completing the run is definitely something to identify, as is the amount of money raised for charity. Completing the run is a significant personal achievement, however participating in something so big is also awe-inspiring. There is something almost spiritual about being part of a huge crowd waiting on the motorway for the race to begin, even though you don't know most of the runners. However, most years I would run with a small group of friends, joining them for breakfast in McDonald's at South Shield Station before taking the metro to Newcastle and walking together through the crowds to the start. Be part of something bigger than you. And afterwards we would meet up for a drink and a chat in our local pub back home, proudly wearing our t-shirts and medals, part of the goodie bag we get at the end of our 13-mile run. In telling our stories of how we felt, the pain and the joys, we felt part of something much bigger than ourselves. It was the sharing that gave the event so much meaning. This aspect of the event was brought home to me one year when circumstances dictated that I ran solo, no group travel or breakfast in South Shields, no one to talk about the race afterwards. And it was a different story. The race was still a significant achievement, but less so without being able to share the experience with other runners. No meaning without sharing. As a friend told me on Sunday, there is no meaning without sharing. He went on to talk about those occasions when you see a beautiful and awe-inspiring view or painting. It takes your breath away, but it isn't very meaningful unless you share it, preferably with others there at the time. I am not sure I entirely agree, but my contrasting experiences of the Great North Run add weight to the argument. And what does this mean for people like you and me who seek meaning by making a difference? Well, when you've achieved something, make a point of sharing your experience. Tell people, write about it and post it on social media or your website. In particular, remember to share with your connections, particularly those who have been involved in your work. But here's the thing, don't start your conversation or writing with the word I, which is the route to self-aggrandizement, floodlighting and ego-boosting. Instead, talk about the circumstances and the impact your actions have had on others. Send the conversation on you, not I.