We’ve all experienced it. That terrifying moment when we reach for our cell phone and can’t seem to find it. We frantically check pockets, purses, bags, etc for said phone, all the while internally screaming at the top of our lungs.
Terror builds. Anxiety rises. And the questions flood in:
“How will I know if he texts back? What about the job offer? They’re supposed to call today. Great, now I won’t be able to check-in on Facebook at lunch.”
These are just some of the horror-infused thoughts that run through the minds of a potential cell phone-less person (such as myself).
But then wait, what’s that? A glowing deep within the bag. You reach in, and….yes, praise all, technology has been found. Celebrations ensue as the day is not shot to sh*t.
We are hooked on technology to say the least. And clearly I’m just as guilty as the next person.
So here’s my call: lets all vow do a better job of relying more on face-to-face conversation and a little less on technology, yes? (even voice on voice action is a step)
NOTE: the above may or may not have been based on today’s actual events.
Summer has officially arrived in Toronto. My bangs tell me so.
They’re really a form of Hollywood diva; they don’t do humidity. Or rain. Or wind for that matter. But I digress.
Summer is a great time of year. My second favourite season behind Fall.
The beach. The patio’s. The BBQ’s. The road trips. The cottage. The reading in the sun - there’s always a reason to take an extra long weekend. I’m looking forward to an eventful summer full of friends, family, frolicking and fun.
Lets do this, summer 2013.
I have things to do, places to go, and people to see. And even my bangs are on board.
How do you know if it’s really something special?
In my opinion, it’s pretty easy to tell.
Whether it’s a kick-ass idea you come up with, a place you visited or a person in your life, they should all have one special thing in common: they give you butterflies.
Everything else is just subpar.
When the time comes to tell someone how you feel — do it.
When inspiration hits you out of the blue — grab it.
When an opportunity you’ve been looking for comes knocking — answer it.
When someone amazing comes along and changes how you dance to life — cherish it.
When a plane ticket to somewhere special goes on sale — buy it.
When passion becomes contagious — embrace it.
When friends become family — celebrate it.
When you look around and realize that the magical moments in your life are so abundant — be thankful for it.
Live. Love. Laugh. Without hesitation.
Those who know me, know I’m a sucker for:
inspirational quotes (hence the #suckerforaquote tag on most of my Instagram shots) and travel writing.
There’s just something about these that makes me happy. Maybe it’s the “living-vicariously-through-the writer” part. Or yet, maybe even greater, it’s the power of knowing that the key to happiness, fun, adventure, whatever, lies within each and every one of us.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as reading a little paragraph somewhere or hanging a little quote in our office to help kick start that passion again.
Sucker for a quote? Sure, ya.
Sucker for passion? Oh hells ya.
Came across this little ditty today - worth sharing, worth preaching.
Power to the persistent.
“An arrow can only be shot by pulling it backward. When life is dragging you back with difficulties, it means it’s going to launch you into something great. So just focus, and keep aiming.”
A breather. A breath of fresh air. A break.
Whatever you call it, it”s okay to need one from time to time. Taking time out to recharge makes for better work, better, more relaxed thinking and generally (I believe) a more positive approach to work and life.
It’s like Sarah Jessica Parker says: “After all, computers crash, people die, relationships fall apart. The best we can do is breath and reboot.”
Here’s to a weekend of rebooting. Recharging. Regrouping. Rewhatevering.
On the not-so-recent heels of the JWT India creative fiasco last week, I know I tread on a touchy subject with this post. The ever-ongoing debate in our industry about awards. Ahh, awards. You cant live with ‘em. You can’t live without ‘em (note: neither of those sentiments are true).
As participants in this industry (actively seeking metal or not), we constantly allow the awards bar to measure our self worth.
“But awards are the only currency creatives have.”
I certainly beg to differ.
Sure, awards are absolutely a huge part of this industry. But creative effectiveness should never just be measured by the number of Lions, Pencils or D&AD’s under ones arm/on ones desk. Especially in this day and age - where the slash is very alive and very much kicking. “I so added that period on the end of the headline, man.”
My dream? An industry where creatives continue to strive for awards, but also hold themselves just as accountable to things like: handling pressure or tight deadlines, performing in presentations, being successful in the new business world, handling hard clients and pushing clients of all types towards good work.
Knowing how to meld creative and commerce together - no matter the brief - and having the ability to understand the business problem and the range and experience to solve it strategically is golden in this industry. Pardon the pun.
I’m personally maxed out on the ‘ads for your sisters friends hair salon’. We need more of the kind of ads that prove this business is exactly that, a creative business. It is possible to create amazing work that also does amazing things for the client while doing amazing things for yourself as a creative.
We just all need to believe it a little more.
I dedicate this post to more awards, but greater than that, I dedicate it to even greater work.
Onwards and upwards, ad industry.
This weekend I had brunch with some of my gal pals in NYC and besides the obvious (catching up), I pleasantly rediscovered the amazing power of word of mouth advertising.
When one friend said she needed to get a “new pair of glasses” after brunch, Warber Parker was immediately reco’d by another. You could get a great pair of lenses - prescription and all - for under $95. After our eggs and bacon we ventured over and under an hour later, my friend emerged with a new pair spectacles. Success!
We then jumped to the topic of Coach. My (now) new glasses-clad friend happens to be an avid shopper and supporter of the store. It’s her experience with their more than excellent customer service thats kept her coming back. On more than a first name basis with the sales ladies, she is, (quite literally) treated like one of the family there. We even popped into a West Village location for her to prove it. It was all I needed to see to decide I will be going out of my way to get a new pair of summer kicks from the closest Coach store asap.
Up two solid pieces of “must know information”, I only felt obliged to share my good brand fortune. So I did. Are you ready for it? Jessica Simpson’s clothing line, I said. Blank stares followed. Then laughs. But only until they realized I was as serious as one Jessica Simpson-jean-loving-advocate gets. Her clothing line is one of the best, most feminine, proper fitting, pure quality options out there for ladies. Hands down.
The moral? Word of mouth is definitely alive and kicking and if your brand doesn’t think so, they’re mucho OOTL (out of the loop).
*On a completely separate note, I think todays topics (eyewear, purses, clothes, and shoes) made a group of gay guys somewhere very, very proud.
“There are two types of people in the world: those who choose to be happy, and those who choose to be unhappy. Happy people are happy because they make themselves happy. They maintain a positive outlook on life and remain at peace with themselves.”
A few simple tips below to help you keep that outlook positive.
http://successify.net/2012/10/31/22-things-happy-people-do-differently/
“Life is very short. If you are not in this game to change the industry, to make world-changing work, to break with the past and get acquainted with our future, then it makes no sense to be in this industry. I’m passionately in love with it, and I intend to keep focusing on the future of where things are going.”
I love this quote from Ignacio Oreamuno, Executive Director of the Art Directors Club. So much so that it inspired a blog post. It’s the quote of the year! And that’s coming from me, a self proclaimed “sucker for a quote.” It voices exactly how I feel about the industry myself. I not only give him props for the thought itself, but for having the guts to voice it. There are many haters, cynics and general all around negative people in this industry. And to them I say, tsk.
His words make me to want to go out and make my mark, to use my skills in the most positive ways I can. And if it’s even possible, it’s inspired an already passionate industry person to want to grab her next brief by the balls and change the world one idea at a time. In fact, maybe it’s just that - approaching every brief from a new angle. With not just the thought of selling a car or getting fans to like a page, but rather the thought of turning that opportunity into something greater. Something that might even (dare I say it) change the world.
I’ve said it before, but the people I most admire in the business are the ones who’ve taken the risks and chances to be the person that changes the world. They’ve made their skills mean something. They’ve looked beyond just an execution. Or an award. Or a promotion. They’ve looked to the greater good. And when I grow up, I want to be one of these people. In the mean time, I’ll just breathe, focus, and take it one world-chaning idea at a time.
Here’s the full Q & A/article:
http://www.thenyegotist.com/editorial/2013/march/19/qa-ignacio-oreamuno-executive-director-art-directors-club
It’s always a good time to remember the wise words of the late Steve Jobs.
Thanks for the inspiration, the encouragement and the reminder to always believe in yourself.
Happy International Women’s Day to all the fabulous women I know!
*dangerous in a good way
I’ve been feeling all agitated and jumpy lately. Been getting annoyed at a much quicker rate than usual. I think I’ve come down with what’s commonly diagnosed as Wanderlust. Yep, that’s right. I’ve currently struggling with a strong desire to travel.
It’s funny. I never used to like to travel much. I was (read: still am) terrified of flying, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve truly discovered my love for traveling. There is something so refreshing and recharging about visiting new places, exploring different cultures, meeting unique (hopefully hot) people and eating foods I’ve never had (hopefully sans bugs).
Like most, I’ve got a long list of “travel wishes” - places I’d like to one day visit. A top that list is Italy. I know, I can’t quite believe I haven’t been there yet, either. But luckily, it’s part of this summer’s travel plans. After a few days stopover in Cannes for the Ad Festival, I’ll head over to Italy to gorge myself on hot Italian men with accents, to-die-for designer shoes, scrumptious sights and um, fruits and veggies (of course that’s Italian for: pizza and pasta.)
If you’ve been, holler at me with some “must-see/must-do”, activities. I plan to visit the Amalfi Coast and Naples, the Canals of Venice, Cinque-Terre, and Florence. If you think I should add another pitt stop, don’t hesitate to let me know. And if you happen to know where the best pizza lives, do let me know that, too.
Thanks. Er, Grazie.
Those are some very whose words from Mr. Stefan Sagmeister. Ones, in fact, that I found so inspiring, I wrote down and now carry with me.
On the (not so) heels of my last post, I wanted to take a moment to express my public kudos to Stefan Sagmesiter. I finally had the chance to see his exhibit down at the Design Exchange this past weekend, and if it comes to a city near you, I definitely suggest you carve out some time to see “The Happy Show”. So many interesting facts and amazing infographics. Stefan is a try mastermind, and artist. He leaves you feeling inspired, driven and, actually really happy. If you find yourself a fan of his work, then I also suggest taking a few minutes to watch some of his TED Talks. Especially if you’re in advertising. And especially the one about “the importance of time off”.
Go on, get happy!
