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The world is full and fast. Technology, trends, fads, taste, people, planets… everything changes. You’re either struggling to keep up or keep your head down while it all moves by you.
I don’t know any (I mean any) creative executives that have too little to do or not enough on their plate. The reactive world of getting shit done can take us down. And that can get messy. Really messy. Just when we have it figured out, controlled, and organized something changes.
How do you manage to flow with it all and not get too far under it?
How do you carve out space in the chaos to be present to what feeds your greatness?
Don’t resist the change.
For starters, accept that chaos is a part of our human experience. Balance is aspirational, but expecting to have perfect equilibrium sets you up for disappointment (says the new mother of a four-month old).
Identify what’s important.
What are your non-negotiables? Identifying them is Power.
Communicate your priorities.
Let the world know. This arms you with accountability and sets the expectations of others.
Follow through.
Make time for the things that are important to you. Even when it’s hard. Giving time and energy to your priorities makes it easier for you to stay motivated when you’re In It.
Ask for help.
That’s what team and tribe and community are all about. At work or at home, who can cover you in your biggest moments of chaos so you can duck out? To run or see your family or read a paper (yes, an actual paper)? Who’s got your back?
Be present.
You may only get small windows of space. Ten minutes here, three days there. However long you have or need, be present when you are there. Savor it. Fill back up.
Where do you need to create some space in your chaos? What will it take for you to give yourself that presence in the midst of change? You, your teams, and your life deserve that clarity.
Championing you always,
jen
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CeeLo Green recently opened up about taking a year off from NBC’s hit show, The Voice. He explained that it all comes down to time.
His career endeavors – TV, music, production, life – have made him busier than ever. While he’s enjoyed being on TV, he’s a musician at his core and wants to spend time immersing himself in his true creative passion.
It got me thinking about choices and multi-tasking. Creative Executives are rarely at a loss for ideas or passions. We can start something that seems like an incredible idea, but our involvement and focus in that endeavor can be so great that really important parts of who we are get neglected.
I ask you: What has this last year felt like to you? Do you feel satisfied? Have you been making choices that allow for you to focus on things that make you YOU. Are you taking care of yourself or are you just doing something that feels like you should?
The holidays and end of the year can be an excellent time to regroup. If you can carve out some time to have an hour or two on your own, you can reflect on the past year, think about what really matters, and plot out a game plan to put into action in the New Year.
You may discover that you need to shift your course and direction. Maybe you just need to re-engage in what you are currently doing in way that feels more connected to who you are. Or maybe you need to explore a hobby where the purpose is having fun vs. making a career out of it.
It’s about giving yourself the gift of time and thinking. You work hard and deserve it. In fact, you may even owe it to yourself.
Wishing you all a very happy holiday and New Year!
Much love,
Jen
People often seek me out when they’re dealing with particularly important transitions in their careers or lives. They’re seeking another point of view or a new skillset or they want to leverage something in a new way. Whether the client is 25 or 65, it’s common for the conversation to evolve beyond that particular period in time and we often end up talking about legacy.
Legacy is a heavy word, but the reality is we’re all leaving one, whether we’re thinking about it or not. If you are unclear about your legacy, creating a Vision is the place to start. Vision helps us get clear and articulate the legacy we want to leave versus waking up one morning and realizing the legacy we’ve created is nowhere near where our hearts want it to be.
Legacy has a wide range of possibilities… from global application to backyard functionality. From creating a game-changing technology to simply leaving people feeling a particular way whenever they encounter you.
One of the executives I work with loves to develop and mentor those that work for them. One dimension of his legacy is to meet with his people individually every month (yes, every month) and have a conversation about how they are growing in their careers.
Another one is passionate about model change and has been a pioneer in developing a new industry.
Creative Executives are a passionate bunch. You pour your heart and soul into your jobs, working long hard hours to sell great work. You often care so much about what you produce that it overrides the sacrifices you make to get it done. And even when you are burnt out, there’s a fire inside that makes it hard to leave what you’ve started. That’s the beauty and pain of being a creative executive, regardless of your industry.
The holidays are rapidly approaching. Before they do, turn some of that fire and passion on your own legacy. Seize the opportunity to think about the contribution you’re making. It’s one of the most generous things you can do this holiday season.
I invite you to take a few minutes this week to think about.
> What is the legacy I have created thus far?
> How do I contribute to those around me?
> What is the legacy I want to leave?
You have gifts to share. It’s never too late to start creating your lasting endowment. I’m always here to remind you of how great that difference can be.
In peace and gratitude for you,
jen
Additional Reads: The Simple Power of One a Day
As last week was the advertising mecca of Cannes where creative executives get acknowledged and handed gold lions for the best creative work in the world globally, it made me think of all the accomplishments they don’t had awards out for…
* The producer that put together the project players of a lifetime with a shoe-string budget.
* The manager whose employee got hired by one of the hottest companies in town due to their mentorship.
* The parent that had a sick kid at home, rocked a big client conference call, and peed all at the same time (not recommended but it does happen).
* A genuine heartfelt thank you from a normally miserable client.
The list could go on and on.
So look back at your last year. What are three things you thought were wins? I guarantee there are a plethora of accomplishments in there that are worth acknowledging.
According to research highlighted by Clay Christensen in How Will You Measure Your Life? there are two types of factors that influence our work – hygiene factors + motivators.
Hygiene factors are “elements of the work that, if not done right, will cause us to be dissatisfied.” Things that fall into this category are job security, compensation, status, work conditions, company policies, the way in which your supervisor manages/leads you, etc.
The interesting thing they discovered is that if these things are unsatisfactory and they are somehow all improved, it won’t necessarily make you love your job. It just makes you not hate it. (more…)
