Unless you intend to hire a professional spokesperson, translator, or biographer, you should never assume that another person will plead your case, make your point, sell your idea, speak up for you, or fight for your cause with the same level of conviction, clarity, and concern as you.

It’s no one else’s job to be your ambassador or personal representative. And even if it is, the consequences of how your feelings, ideas, and actions are perceived will still be yours to keep.

You can shift responsibility to others, but it will always be your burden to live with the results.

Take ownership for the integrity and intelligence with which your story is told.

You have a voice for a reason. Take charge of your story and tell it with pride.

Read Your Resume is Boring, Do These Five Things Instead

Read Tell Me Your Story, Not Your Status

Listen to Seth Godin, It’s Your Turn, Now What?

• Identify a job, college, program, organization, or any opportunity you’d like to be part of someday in the near future. Publish a post explaining why you think you’re a good candidate. Be sure to explain why you believe it would benefit them to associate with you or work with you.

1. What’s the difference between story and status?
2. What’s the value of learning how to tell your story?
3. What are some of the most important elements of your own life story?
4. Are there ever any dangers to playing it safe? If so, what are some of those dangers? If not, why not?
5. What’s the most common mistake young people make when talking about themselves or sharing their resume?