Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Toshiba Space chair

I saw the recent ad/video that was created for Toshiba HD cameras. I like it. It's different as well as a new Guinness World Record. This is the true future of where advertising is going, creative executions that aren't hard sells. Ideas that get people involved and interested to want to find out more about a brand instead of being spoon fed some strategic jargon they care nothing about or don't understand.

The future of advertising isn't creating advertising. It's about creative ideas that come together to form a reason for people to be involved.

This is a cool idea.

Monday, November 16, 2009

Don't let the rain get you down

Starting a new venture can be and often is an immense challenge. There will be tough days and then there will be enormously tough days. The sunny and fun days are the icing on the cake and the motivators to keep you going, they get you through the rainy days.
Sometimes it seems like there may not be a light at the end of the tunnel but you have to believe in yourself, in your talents and in your vision. Anyone can get through the toughest of times, all you have to do is buckle down and push through it.
It is often said that the elements of success are 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration. That's the truth. If you want it bad enough you will do what ever it takes to get it. If you're not willing to sacrifice what you have for what you want then you don't want it bad enough. Which could mean one of two things: either you don't really want it or you're lazy.
Being successful takes a lot of determination and follow through. Inspiration can be a powerful tool, you would be amazed at how far you can go on inspiration alone but at some point you need to switch gears and go from inspiration to implementation. That is where most people fail. They aren't willing to sweat and go with out to achieve success.
I use the metaphor of life is like a pendulum, if you want your life to swing into the successful side you first need it to swing on the sacrifice side. All through life it will continue to do this, it's called balance. The more effort you push it with determines how far it swings. If you put in a half assed effort you won't be too successful but if you push yourself hard enough and make enough sacrifices then you will be on swinging in success before you know it.
I read an article this morning from a fellow small agency owner, it was right on the money.
So no matter what you are doing, where you're working or what your goals are, go after it. If it was easy everyone would be doing it.

Have a great Monday.

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Back again

It's been a while since I've posted. Crazy times. It's been an insane roller coaster of ups and downs over the last few months. My advice to anyone who is planning on starting their own company is make sure you are  ready for crazy times. There are moments when you think, "when the hell am I going to make money" and then there are times when you think "when the hell is the craziness going to get back to normal".
I guess in an entrepreneurial world there is no such thing as normal.

I do love it though. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't have it any other way. It keeps me on my toes and the freedom is liberating.

I have to say that the economy is making so many people's lives a shit storm right now. No one is immune to the craziness. I know a lot of people who are wondering what the hell to do. My advice is take the time to focus on what you really want to do and then do it. Work in a field that you won't hate in five years, or find something that you always wondered about and get involved with it. You never know where it might take you.

I for one have always been of the mindset that when opportunity knocks you have to answer, regardless of your circumstances. Every little opportunity will eventually lead you to somewhere larger.
I for one thought I'd always be working for a large ad agency until I got old enough to retire and tell stories about the good old days. Funny how things turn out.
Now I run my own agency, albeit small and all, it still gives me a rush to do great creative work and what the faces of my clients light up as they see the impact that great creative work can have on their brands.

But in addition to advertising I also have a new found love for snowboarding. I got bitten pretty hard last year by the bug when I was "shredd'n" at Whistler. So what does that have to do with anything? Well I've decided to put my creativity in what I love to do and now I'm trying to start my own line of snowboard accessories. Who knows where it will go but I gotta try it. It's an opportunity to take advantage of. Sure there are other people out there doing it, but I think my line will have something fresh to add, funky and functional. It's going to be killer. Even if I don't make a ton of cash on it, it's still going to be something fun.

That's what life is all about. Getting through all the shit that weights you down with a smile on your face. Life is too short to be doing something you hate. You've heard that a million times right? But it's true. Nothing comes easy. Some of the most successful people I know have busted their ass for years before they reached any kind of success. But they will all say that it was worth it.

So to all that are finding themselves in hard times I say push on. Don't let it get you down. Focus on what you love and then go after it with all the sweat and tears you have. Because it will take that and then some.

Here is an article I came across about three older men doing what they love. I had the privilege of working with one of them and I have to say they are truly amazing men.

Buckle down and go after what you want. It's that easy.