When I was young, my brothers and I had a German babysitter who thought she was psychic because she could guess what was going to happen next in the sitcoms we watched on TV. She also used duct tape on her car and once put a spoonful of margarine on top of a large bowl of stove top popcorn because she thought it was hot enough to melt on its own.
Ever since I began blogging and selfcare content creation, I continue to be faced with the ‘elevator pitch’ question: You have 30 seconds to introduce yourself and your ideas in a compelling way to invite a next conversation.
I still do not have a ‘pitch’.
As I was considering it this morning, I thought back to the beginning of me rather than the beginning of the content.
If I am recalling correctly, early on I began noticing familiar patterns of behavior that showed up over and over again in different settings. The same conversation, the same script, the same escape, the same blame, the same tone of voice, the same anger, the same excuse, the same meeting, the same conclusion, etc. The same. Stuck and spinning in a version of the same outcome.
I noticed the patterns even as an active participant. As if I was watching it all play out like a hovering ghost.
I observed the patterns like Mrs Meyers (babysitter) observed the sitcoms. It was easy to anticipate the next action as well as how it was going to end.
The interesting part of being the observer of repeating patterns is that the actors seem to be replaying the roles as if its the first time. Depending on the context of this awareness, it can be as illuminating as it can be maddening. Ignorance really can be quite blissful at times.
My content began as sharing skills, tools, and strategies to allow children and adults to feel seen, heard, valued, and understood. What precipitated the desire to share was the increasing school violence and student death by suicide.
As I consider the elevator pitch, and wonder about what I repeat most often, it seems I return to disruption. To disrupt the patterns that keep one stuck or spinning in a version of the same limiting outcome. To tell a story (beginning, middle, end) that allows for sustainable growth outcomes.
I assume many people would say they desire new outcomes. However, new outcomes are…new. There is no well worn path.
Taking the time to slow down and consider new ideas and new ways of thinking is helpful.
On June 6 I begin a third 8-week series of story-i-tell and checkIN on the Sally & Sifer Facebook Page (@sallysifer).
The only prerequisite is Quiet Time.
day. 