**Ever notice how some people can make even the most boring topics sound interesting?**
*Here’s their secret*: **They use contrast.**
Our brains are wired to pay attention to change. Neuroscience shows that when we detect a shift–whether it’s in tone, pace, or content–it wakes us up and makes us focus. That’s why stories with *contrast* are so powerful. They highlight differences: success vs. failure, calm vs. chaos, expectation vs. reality.
**Storytelling hack**: Next time you’re telling a story, build in contrast. For example, if you’re sharing a success story, don’t just talk about the win. Start with the struggle. Paint a picture of what was going wrong before the breakthrough. The bigger the gap between the two, the more engaging your story becomes.
**Your action step**: Think of a story you want to share this week–whether it’s in a meeting, presentation, or even a casual conversation. How can you add contrast? Maybe it’s describing how things were *before* a solution came along, or showing the difference between what you expected and what actually happened.
Contrast creates *tension*, and tension keeps people hooked.