August 2025
Your Life Story in 6 Words or Less
“Share your story, change the world.”
– George Takei
OVERVIEW
Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway was once challenged to write a novel in just six words and he responded with: "For Sale: baby shoes, never worn." In 2006 Smith Magazine, an online publication, asked it's readers to summarize their lives in six words, building on the Hemingway story. This sparked the "Six-Word Memoir" project and prompted thousands of people to share their concise life stories.
This month, we invite you to reflect on your life journey and express it in just six words! This activity is about creativity, connection, and self-awareness. Everyone has a story — and in sharing ours, we better understand one another.
Story in 6 Words Exercise
MATERIALS NEEDED (optional)
Flip chart paper/large sheets or whiteboard to write each persons’ six-word story
SET THE STAGE (12 min)
Start by showing the following video:
CHALLENGE YOUR TEAM (10 min)
Instruct your group to craft a six-word story that captures a meaningful part of their life.
PROVIDE CONTEXT/EXAMPLES:
“Always learning, rarely getting it right.”
“Burned out, broke down, bounced back.”
“Grew food, grew people, grew purpose.”
REVIEW (10-15 min)
Have each person write their six-word story on a large poster sheet or whiteboard, then go around the group and have each person share their story. Alternatively, go around the room and have each person share what they wrote down.
GROUP DISCUSSION PROMPTS (15-20 min)
What did you learn about your teammates through their six words?
Was it hard to summarize your story in six words? Why?
Did anyone’s words surprise or inspire you?
POST-ACTIVITY SUGGESTIONS
Create a “Six-Words Wall” in your office or team space.
Take photos of each person with their six words and build a digital collage or printed board.
Save the words and revisit them at the end of the year as retrospective.