I didn’t think it was possible for me to narrow down “my story” to a 30 sec clip. Those who know me may sometimes wish I came with a Mute button because I have a tendency to talk..a …lot! It has been my challenge over the past year to narrow down my work pitch to 30 seconds.
What I realized, is that it all comes down to being comfortable in your own skin and knowing your strengths. What I learned was that the longer I talked about what I do, the more I felt unsure of my abilities and needed to pad the package with more strengths and attributes.
It has been a really hard process. Beginning last May with Asenath, I needed to write my “I Am…” Statement. That is the 30 sec clip of who you and what you do to people you just meet. It should be clear, succinct, and catchy. Someone should be able to hear it and remember 1 unique element about you. What stands you apart from everyone else in the room? How come I should remember you? What is it about you that I will recall when I need someone with your capabilities?
My assignment over the past 6 months was to get out there, network, and practice until is it comes as naturally as breathing. I joined women’s networking groups, lunches, and went to various meetings. It’s hard to stand up in front of 30 people you don’t know and say who you are, but it slowly got easier as I become more confident in who I am and what I can offer. It has also helped enormously to be part of such a strong women’s group. There is so much support and in that support, I got strong. Their views and opinions of what I do gave me a sort of validation that I DO have things to offer, that my creative ideas are NOT crazy and DO add value.
Last week, at my Women’s Networking Luncheon, I realized that I finally got it! I felt it, I said it, and it resonated with a few chuckles from the peanut gallery. Just so that you can understand what my “I am..” statement was in the beginning and what came out of my mouth last week, here you go:
Version 1: I’m it, I’m the one who supports women who want to move from mostly tired, angry, hurt, and upset to being Mostly Happy. I support these women to learn to color outside the lines, using every color in the crayon box, while dancing to the spicy music of their inner spirit
Kind of a mouthful, huh?
Now, let’s just get real and say it how it is.
Version 2: I am a Life Coach who helps women get their shit together after a divorce and feel Sassy & Sexy again!
Knowing chuckles and a few “Here Here, Sista! There IS life after divorce” later, and I felt solid in my 30 sec pitch. And, for the first time, I had someone running after ME asking me for MY business card to give to her newly divorced friend. It took awhile for me to get real with myself and everyone else. Over talking myself bored people and was memorable in the wrong way. Confidence is clear in your words and in your personality. That’s the unique element that makes you memorable.