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I got laid off, and spent 6 months focusing on other parts of my life. (Note: always have 6 month buffer of expenses saved up.) Spent time with my family that wasn’t rushed — actual real downtime. Found a healthy relationship that was under my nose. Spent much of my time volunteering, and doing creative hobbies because I enjoyed them, not to impress someone else.
Now that I’m back working again, I find there’s a strange disconnection between me and my work. Because I am not my work. And it’s absolutely fantastic. Wouldn’t trade it for a spot at Weiden.
Let’s not forget this classic Onion article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theonion.com/temp-hides-fun-fulfilling-life-from-rest-of-office-1819566599/amp
But you’re staff, right? Saatchi life is like being a temp 😜
this is something that has been on my mind lately... i am currently young, nothing tying me down, no dependents, and all of the free time in the world. if I am not working then I am hanging with friends, exercising, watching sports (sometimes while working) or doing whatever I feel like that day until it’s time to head back to work. having this free time allows me to put in work after hours, take on new responsibilities, and further develop myself in my industry. the biggest contributor to my success in the workplace is tied to availability and reliability. if a higher up can rely on me to available, they will most likely bring new or urgent my way as a default, knowing i can handle it. I am by no means the smartest, brightest or most creative in the room, but I do find pride in being the most hard working. now how long can this be kept up and will this expectation become the standard? I have no idea, I just figure I keep churning away until I have some awakening mid life crisis moment, but honestly I am happy the way things are now. I think that answers your next question - as long as you are happy then it is a good thing. obviously everyone has days of doubt and self reflection, but hey as long as my work is fulfilling to me and brings me a feeling self worth then I am going to keep on churning.
Like ACD says, sort your balance before/if you’re considering having children in the future. Being “available” while calming a screaming baby and being a good partner to your SO will be wildly anxiety-inducing. I unfortunately know this from experience.
This is a big problem for people in our industry and unfortunately the anxiety has taken hold of many good minds. I think articles like this are really helpful to continually remind us to keep perspective and explore our value beyond our roles or job titles.
Interesting. Junior strat here who left the ad world for consulting 2 yrs into my career and often miss the creative culture where the rubber hits the road, as rocky and all-consuming as it can be. I thought about it all the time and it became a big part of me. And there was real camaraderie. Now, I don’t feel like a consultant and have trouble relating to the culture. Feels pretty lonely because nobody understands the creative process. But I work for an amazing company where I have a real future and feel silly for wanting to leave it sometimes. Always wanted to go into advertising... been pretty good at it too, and it defined me for so long I’m just now getting more comfortable with the idea that I’m more than my career. Been searching for hobbies, learning to cook for myself, finding friends outside of my work network. It’s been hit and miss. But this article is inspiration to continue on that path. Thanks for sharing.
Thankfully advertising moves so fast, you don't really get the chance to say "I'm a lawyer". You always need to shift and evolve.
That said, I now live aboard thanks to my career in advertising. It would have never happened without me being 'obsessed' with my job, tbh... looking back-do I regret? Not really, I have a wife from another industry and I have very good living standards in NYC - made possible by advertising.
I know it isn't for everyone, so as I lead my team today, I send no work emails over the Thanksgiving and Christmas break. I feel it is easier if it begins from the top. Enforce the need for separation of professional and personal time. Trust me, it helps in the long run.
Actually, I'm in the business of data. I'm in media agency side. Young people always have the leg up here... the ones with no commitments and willing to go the distance (I am one myself).
You need to be aware that this title doesn't define who you are.
Like Tony said to Spiderman: "If you're nothing without the suit, you don't deserve it"
“I am a...”
Choose wisely.
Yikes this hit close to home
thanks for sharing this. i think it’s a bad thing if you let it consume you (e.g. am I at a good/respectable place? am I paid enough? Am I growing/at the right level right now?). Unfortunately it does describe a big part of me but not entirely at least because I realize the danger in it. Feel free to dm if you want to chat more :)
“Oh you want to know what I do? Well I do ALL KINDS OF STUFF man... where should we start?”
Oh you’re a pediatrician? Cool. Into some sort of hardcore philanthropy that mostly consumes you? Amazing and I truly wish you the best. But I’ve always always been skeeved out by people who are a bit *too* into advertising.