Grandpa’s Wisdom Wednesday: The Power of Focus in Storytelling 🫐✨

“Hey Little One, if you try to tell too many stories at once, none of them will be heard. Pick the one that matters most, and tell it well!”

One of the hardest—but most valuable—lessons I’ve learned, both in my career and in life, is that clarity wins over complexity.

When I was writing Macie and the Magic Berries, I found myself trying to pack in too many lessons—food insecurity, nutrition, sustainability, community support. All are important and connected, but all compete for attention in a single story. And as Grandpa wisely reminds us, if you try to tell too many stories at once, none of them will be heard.

So, I got out my red pen. ✍️ I refocused on the heart of the story: Macie’s love for berries and her realization that not all her friends have access to fresh fruit. That’s the message that needed to shine. The other lessons? They didn’t disappear—I just gave them space to grow into their own stories.

The same is true in leadership, branding, and everything we create. The message gets watered down when we try to say everything at once. But when we focus on what truly matters, our stories become stronger, clearer, and more impactful.

So today, whether you’re speaking, writing, or leading, take a moment to ask yourself: What’s your one story that needs to be heard right now?

Pick it. Tell it well. And let it shine. ✨

Peter Contardo