I was listening to a podcast in which a journalist was talking about how they pitched a project to National Geographic. And it struck me – what if we had to have an elevator pitch for all the ways we are spending our time. Would it help us see our every day lives in a different light? Could we pitch our lives as best sellers?
Here are my examples:
In a commitment to stay agile, Wynne practices every day flexibility. Switching between parenting, working, and dog walking, she navigates the fine line between looking harried and being in charge of too many details to count. But as a side benefit, the mental dexterity necessary to fix the garage door sensors while also playing driveway broom hockey makes her feel younger.
In a world where technology is always changing, Wynne sits at the crossroads between well-organized sanity and communication chaos. Directing teams to improve client collaboration is not a job, it’s a mission.
It’s not easy being a little person in a big world but there’s a lot of insight from the younger set. Instead of just joining in to “how things are,” kids are willing to ask “why.” And that’s where Wynne comes in, ready to write down the profundity that comes from these kids that are buffeted by uncertainty and lack of agency, but also divorced from to-do lists and money worries. They make it through by being observant and learning. Because our lives are better when filled with love and meaning, and kids know how to cut through the rest!
Okay, I need to work on my pitches. But if you want to see a masterful pitch, check out this book project pitch from writer and blogger, Cheryl Oreglia: Episode 61: The Writers Conference with Cheryl Oreglia
Or this fantastic post about an author that took 15 years to get a book published – and it was a hit. Now he has a deal to get a book adapted for TV: Inspiration for Writers
(featured photo from Pexels)
For a different type of pitch (meaning the type you find on a mountain), check out Leadership Lessons From Climbing on my personal blog.
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
If you want to tune in to our podcast features authors and artists, search for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music or Pocketcasts (and subscribe) or click here. My other projects include my personal blog and being part of a team that teaches/speaks about corporate creativity. My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
Ohhh how I love your ‘pitches’. Each rings true about an aspect of “Wynne” – wit, wisdom and heart in every role. 🥰
Oh, thank you, dear Vicki! You know all my pitches!! 🙂
🥰❤️🥰
Okay, I know what I’m doing today. The heck with everything else on my list. I gotta work on my pitches. This is such a great idea. It goes back to purpose and mission and how we spend our time and making sure we’re spending our time in the right ways. I love this. Thanks Wynne. And you’re pitches are spot on. I especially love your one as a parent. Flexibility with a capital F. I could have used that one when my kids were little. Ha, ha.
Oh, you said it perfectly, Brian. “making sure we’re spending our time in the right ways.” Yes!! Can’t wait to read your book pitch!!
Book pitch, yea, You and me both Wynne. You and me! Ha ha
Oh this made me smile.
Thank you, VJ!
My pleasure
I like the whimsical energy of this idea and exercise, Wynne! Very funny, but not merely a joke.
Part of my training requires that I look for possible objections, even just as an exercise in reflection. Here, maybe someone might wonder if there’s a danger of feeding the feeling that we need to justify our life for the approval of others?
To balance that though, I find it interesting to remember that an “appropriate action,” according to Stoic theory, is “an action for which a reasonable defense may be given.”
Oh, I love your philosophical take on this. You have such a gift for seeing things deeply and well. I can see how this could be turned to appropriate action. Thanks for the great comment, SeekerFive!
Very creative, Wynne! 👏🏻
Thank you, Michele!!
You’re welcome, thank you for the different perspective.
Oh I love this idea! I want to do an elevator pitch for being a mother, now. I really like how you’ve come up with multiple pitches for the different roles you have in life. Do you ever find they come together harmoniously? I feel like my various roles in life become a total cacophony whenever they clash but very occasionally (like when my daughter is napping) they work for brief moments.
Oh, what a great idea to try to combine them into one! I think I’m with you – mine don’t quite flow together in good harmony YET. Thanks for a great comment. And when you come up with a your pitch, you’ve got to share it!
I love your pitches Wynne!
Thank you, Cristiana!
Grand idea! Genius! “ National Geographic” , time to notify them To recall the numerous African swollen belly issues of backdated, National Geographic regarding the new evidence on airborne sewage. “ sorry National Geographic, it’s not malnutrition, it’s airborne sewage.”!