This viral picture reminded me of a couple of things.
First, that creativity (coming up with ideas) and innovation (the implementation of those same ideas) can be applied to anything, even something as old as business cards.
And second, that creativity and innovation are often a good way to create early stages buzz. Whether that will spread further down the line, though, is a different matter.
A defeat is not the end of the world.
For sure, it hurts. You’ll have to take time to process it. You will be tempted to give way to regrets, complaints, frustation, fury. And sometimes, you should. You will need to regroup with those who have been close to you all along the way. You will grieve, cry perhaps, feel like everything was pointless. You will analyse, and question, and wonder. You might be doing that for quite some time.
In the end, though, you will accept and go back to your practice. And actually, the fastest you do, the strongest you are.
Because a defeat is not the end of the world.
Most of your satisfaction is due to the effective application of three interrelated things.
This is true in your personal and your professional life. At the office, in your free time, and at the gym. When you are on your own, with your partner, with your friends, or with your kids.
It is a matter of awareness, of choices, and boundaries.
It is a matter of saving resources and investing them in the things that have the highest potential.
It is a matter of acknowledgement and empathy.
When is the last time you gave someone words of comfort?
When is the last time you gave yourself words of comfort?
We are often harsh with others and even harsher with ourselves. We are made harsh by an environment that sees urgency, competition, threats everywhere. We need to come out on top, we need to be better, we need to be first. Chasing drifting concepts to pursue a satisfaction that will always be pushed further.
No matter where you are today, you have everything you need. You are the best version of yourself and people around you are lucky to have you in their lives. You are you, no matter what comes next.
You’ve got this.
If you are having any doubt that your brand is not working, try this little test.
It does not matter if your competitors are lying, if you are the only one who could truthfully claim what everyone is claiming, if your technology is better, if you have a more accurate vision for the future, if your founder has an incredible track record.
The customer does not care.
You are not trying to make an argument in the court room. You are competing on the market.
Note: if you pass the test, it does not mean your brand is working. A message is easy enough to imitate and brand is a combination of multiple items that should reflect the way you see the world. But if you don’t pass the test, then your brand is definitely not working.
You've got this 