Your Elevator Pitch

*Elevator pitch  is a short summary used to quickly and simply describe why a product, service, or organization is special or unique. The summary should excite and convince others................:  

Sometime last month, I was fortunate to meet an inspirational gentleman who gave a good talk.  I feel his message benefit you all. The basis of his talk was a comparison of two profiles:


PERSON A......................:

- Born 1968
- Parents separated when she was 6 years old
- Became a victim of sexual abuse at 7 years
- Failed her O Level exams at end of secondary school
- After 3 attempts at JAMB, she gained admission into university to study Sociology 
- Impregnated by her married lover aged 22 years old when she was in her final year at university
- Unmarried mother aged 23 years old
- Aged 24 years old, unemployed and depressed
- Aged 26 years old, her fiance called of the wedding at the last minute
- Unemployed aged 28 years old


PERSON B.........................:
- Born 1968
- Grew up in a very loving home
- Graduated top of her class aged 22 years old
- Created her own NGO aged 24 years old
- Gained a Masters Degree in Global Health aged 28 years old
- Employed by prestigious global health body aged 29 years old


Looking at the two profiles, which person would you say is now a successful proffessional with three children, a loving husband and a happy home......................???

Of course most people often choose the second person. However, both profiles belong to the same person....How.....?? Here's how..........:
- She was born in 1968
- Her parents did separate when she was 6 years old. However, she grew up surrounded by a loving mother and grandparents
- She was sexually abused by a neighbour who was baby sitting her when she  was 7 years old 
- She did fail her O levels at first attempt because she was 'distracted' by friends and parties
- However, she passed them on second attempt
- Despite repeated attempts she did not get the required marks for her preferred course (Law)
- At her third attempt at Jamb, she gained admission to study Sociology
- While at university, she discovered she absolutely loved Sociology and Anthropology and shone
- Unfortunately, while at university she had an affair with a married man who convinced her that his marriage was on its last legs
- She then got pregnant in her final year and abortion was not an option (especially as her mum found out)
- With the support of her mum and grandmother, she graduated top of her class after having the baby
- However, aged 24 years old, she suffered a crisis of confidence and became depressed
- Luckily, with the support of her family (especially an auntie who was a UK based medical doctor) she overcame this and set up an NGO for young, single mothers
- She met a man the next year and they got engaged the following year
- The man's mother was always against the relationship and at the last minute the 'mummy's boy' called off the wedding
- Aged 27, she won a scholarship to study for a Masters Degree in Global Health
- After graduating, she found herself unemployed aged 28 years old 
- Happily, her strong dissertation, volunteering experience, supportive mentors and NGO background secured her a position with a prestigious global health body aged 29 years old

The message behind this is that - We all have ups and downs; We all make stupid mistakes; We all stumble and fall; We all lose at some point in time; We all fail at some point............

However, it is up to you to decide what to focus on...Your successes or Your Failures?

If there's one thing I know it is that generally, people are very willing to remind you of what you lack or where you have failed...........However, it is up to you to remind yourselves - and everyone - about your success.

You must walk around with an elevator pitch in your head - of what makes you special, of what gifts you have and of why you are a survivor.

If you don't believe you a great - and that you deserve to be here ...............no one else will.

See you soon
xxxxx

(images from: http://www.fotosearch.com/ )