Pitch perfect

 

Was it just this morning I talked to a friend about my 2015 wish list of eldering conferences & workshops?  Seems days ago that she grilled me about my "elevator pitch."  Did I have one?  Let's hear it.  

Chagrined to admit hadn't given it a thought in months.  What did I say at last year's National Conference on Creative Aging?  Ah, yes...

The ideal elevator pitch is supposed to be very short - ideally, no more than 30 seconds, use your natural style, immediately engage & make your listener care, make it easy for others to relate, leave them wanting more & be clear about your goals.  

Back in June 2014, if anyone at the NCCA Conference - my first! - asked what I did, I looked them straight in the eye & replied, "I'm an elder care anarchist."   

EVERYONE was immediately engaged, asked for more information.  Happy to oblige!  

"I'm dedicated to overthrowing & setting right our nation's dismal culture around aging. You've heard of in-home care?  I do get 'em out of home care!  I help them be as engaged, energized & empowered as possible, to experience old age as a triumph, not a disease."   

 

A year later, there's a lot more information to share when interest extends past my basic pitch ~  my core goal of sharing with others - especially individuals & families on a tight budget - how to live expansively at all ages, plans for Gran-FAM-boly!, schemes to adapt Jacob Kramer's Love for the Elderly & my own elder mission statement project for my local community, and - above all - direct everyone to my older2elder blog.  

Praise be for the friend who asked about my elevator pitch.  As of this morning, hadn't thought about it since August (Omega).  Tonight, after a review & retooling, am excited about trying it out before this year's first big event - the 2015 Leading to Well-Being Conference, March 26-27, sponsored by George Mason University's Center for the Advancement of Well Being*.  

YOU can help - just ask, "So, what are you up to?"  Practice makes pitch perfect!   

 

Here it is, as of 01/19/15:
"I'm an elder care anarchist, dedicated to overthrowing & setting right our nation's dismal culture around aging. You've heard of in-home care?  I do get 'em out of home care!  I help oldsters & the elderly be as engaged, energized & empowered as possible, to experience old age as a triumph, not a disease."

How might it change after 03/26-27?  Stay tuned!   

 

 

*  GMU's  Center for the Advancement of Well-Being  - Creating a World That's Thriving Together -   Initiated in 2009, the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being is an interdisciplinary research and teaching center at George Mason University dedicated to catalyzing human well-being. Our vision is to impact 10 million people in 10 years by teaching the science and practices that lead to a life of vitality, purpose, and resilience.