The one daily habit that turned my boring life into a content goldmine
Forget climbing mountains or world travel - this trick helps you create content from the life you're already living
For years, I told myself I wasn’t a natural storyteller - at least not on paper. In real life? Spend five minutes with me, and you’ll probably hear a story - or ten.
But my current life doesn’t feel like it’s filled with stories worth telling. Working from home, juggling deadlines, and boring routines, it all blurs together.
My days are dominated by to-do lists and back-to-back Zoom calls, not the kind of adventures that make for memorable narrations.
Still, I was determined to improve my storytelling. Not just for writing’s sake, but because I saw how powerful it could be for connecting with others. Yet, whenever I sat down to find a story worth sharing, my mind went blank.
Then I came across the book ‘Storyworthy’ by Matthew Dicks.
His “Homework for Life” exercise was the breakthrough I needed. Instead of going out of my way to alter my life in an effort to create dramatic, larger-than-life stories, I learned to notice the meaning in small, everyday moments - like swapping my usual breakfast for something new or taking an unfamiliar route on a morning walk.
Jotting down these seemingly insignificant observations each day turned into a treasure chest of ideas.
Before I knew it, I’d built a collection of authentic, relatable stories that felt natural to share.
Did you know that people who consistently write down their ideas and organize them are 33% more likely to follow through with creative projects?
For me, the biggest lesson was this: storytelling isn’t about living an extraordinary life. It’s about seeing the extraordinary in ordinary moments.
Most of us think we need to scale mountains, cross oceans, or experience huge life events to have something worth sharing. But it’s actually the small, meaningful moments that resonate most.
These are the stories that actually connect us. They reflect the shared experiences we all live.
Writing down these daily observations doesn’t just spark creativity - it also boosts emotional well-being. Research shows that journaling for even a few minutes a day can enhance memory, deepen self-awareness, and help us make sense of our lives on a more meaningful level.
Here’s the truth: you don’t have to create stories. You just need to collect them.
Here’s my 7-step C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Framework to help you notice, organize, and make use of your small, everyday moments:
C – Create a Dedicated Space: Set up a central place to store your ideas. It could be a physical journal, a digital app like Notion, or even a simple note on your phone. Having one consistent space reduces friction and keeps everything in one place.
A – Actively Reflect on Your Day: Spend a few moments each evening asking yourself, “What stood out today?” This could be an observation, a thought, or something that made you pause. The goal is to notice the small moments that carry meaning.
P – Prioritize Simplicity: Write down just one sentence about what stood out. Don’t overthink it. Focus on capturing the essence of the moment so it’s easy to recall later.
T – Time-Block for Consistency: Schedule 5 minutes daily to jot down your observation. Whether it’s before bed or after dinner, having a consistent time helps you stick to the habit.
U – Use Tags to Organize Ideas: Categorize your notes by theme (e.g., personal growth, productivity, relationships). This makes it easy to find relevant stories or ideas when you need them.
R – Revisit and Refine Regularly: Set a weekly or monthly time to review your collection. Look for patterns, refine your notes, and highlight ideas that stand out for future use.
E – Engage with Your Ideas: Don’t let your notes gather dust. Use them in your content, conversations, or personal reflections. Engaging with your collection turns raw observations into actionable insights.
Why This Works
My C.A.P.T.U.R.E. Framework is grounded in habit-building and creative thinking. By reflecting daily, you train your mind to notice moments you’d otherwise miss, sharpening your awareness over time.
Its organizational structure gives you an accessible bank of ideas, eliminating the frustration of searching for inspiration when you need it.
Reviewing your collection regularly encourages you to draw connections between ideas, sparking new insights from seemingly unrelated moments.
Most importantly, this system transforms storytelling from a forced activity into a natural habit.
Here’s What You’ll Get Out of It
A treasure chest of meaningful stories: Never run out of ideas for content or conversation again.
Improved self-awareness: Learn to recognize insights in everyday life.
A habit that fuels creativity: Daily reflection makes storytelling second nature.
“Storytelling isn’t about having a grand life - it’s about finding meaning in the life you’re living.”
Your Turn
Here’s what I want you to do today:
Think back to your day so far. Was there a moment that stood out, even if it felt small or unimportant? Write it down in one sentence.
Set up a space for your ideas - this could be a notebook on your desk, a note on your phone, or a file in your favorite app.
Commit to capturing one small observation every day for the next week. Just one!
At the end of the week, look back at what you’ve collected. You’ll be surprised at how much meaning you uncover in what once seemed like a boring, uneventful life.