The year was 2007. I was working for a start-up in Bangalore. On its 11th year of existence, the company moved from a crummy apartment to a new building in an upscale locality. The 80+ employee, many of whom I saw for the first time, had gathered for the big occasion. After the opening prayers, we had a chance to meet the old guards and network with them.
From the small gathering, I saw a man, pudgy, short and in his late 50s, walk towards me. He asked, "Haven't seen you. New Recruit?". I gave an elaborate introduction and shared how my travel responsibilities limit meeting up with my team in the office".
"Hi, I am Rakesh. I don't visit the office that often. That is why we have never been introduced."
I smiled and didn't have much to add. "Maybe an ex-employee," I thought.
A friend of mine, nudged and shared "You know who that is? It's Rakesh Sharma - the first Indian to go to Space." He expected me to fangirl out, and I did, although I didn't scream at him.
I was starstruck, to say the least, and found new excuses to hang around him, and absorb everything he was saying. He is among the 549 people from a population of 7.4 billion to have reached space, and among the first from 1.2 billion Indians to do so.
Now everything he said was Gold. My analytical mind was taking a hike. My emotional mind has taken over. The validity of the information didn't matter.
Most opening lines that we get in our Essay Review Service fall into the four categories:
1) What you always knew/loved
2) Take the narrative to a year
3) Start from a third person's experience or
4) Start with a philosophy or value
"I was always fascinated by consulting."
"The year was 2013."
"My Father had just bought his new.."
"Life is not what you get but what you give."
Many applicants procrastinate till they get the perfect opening.
Forget the opening, start writing.
You have to understand one blind spot most reviewers have. They become a fan of the applicant when it is 'truly' unique. I am not talking about Academic achievements - GMAT 750+ or GPA 3.8, but achievements that had the most impact on humanity or community (no matter how small it is) or your country.
When I suggest creating an IMPACT list in our consulting and review services, clients feel intimidated.
Don't.
What you have achieved in your project had far further implications. You just have to sit, reflect and brainstorm.
What is your 1 in a Billion Space Moment?
Maybe it is a 1 in a Million moment. It doesn't matter.