For those of you who’ve “made it” in advertising—did it actually make you happy?

I’ll give you some context. I’ve worked at general market agencies in my home country and, more recently, at healthcare agencies in New York. I’ve never really enjoyed healthcare, but I’ve always tried to elevate the work, regardless of limitations.

[Continues in the comment section]

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Happiness is a good work life balance and enjoying the clients/people you work with. Opportunities to do good work helps a lot. But feeling valued and like your free time is your free time. No agency founders chasing you to do mediocre work.

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Happiness is always a moving target, in regard to all aspects of life.

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Based on your definition of making it, yes, I’m happier. The work is better. The people are smarter. And, I’m getting the chances to do the work I’ve always wanted to do.

However, the timelines are absolute poo and expectations are high—which makes the stress high, too. So, there’s definitely a trade off.

likeuplifting

Happiness is a moving target. But inevitably, however gradually, you’ll realize—no matter how idealistic you are now—that as a creative, you are the product—and the product is meant to be consumed… until a better one comes along. (Or cheaper.)

The clients will use you. The agency will use you. Your partners will use you. And the moment your carcass is picked clean, the vultures will flutter to the next living body foolish enough to sit around like a carcass.

Go where you are respected and paid. When one of the two falters, go somewhere else.

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Yes, I’m happy. I have enjoyed a marvelous career with fabulous people at great companies. I will also say, however, that I keep my job in perspective and I don’t derive all of my meaning and value from my job. There are ups and downs, just like anywhere, but being resilient, keeping things in perspective and staying mentally and physically healthy make a difference.

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I can only speak for myself but I’m vastly happier in a creatively driven environment, smaller sized agency that is focused on world beating ideas over paydays and corporate hierarchy. Did a short stint in healthcare and it was like night and day.

Not all agencies are alike in creative ambition but my experience in healthcare was that it was even less creatively driven than most.

I’d try to find your way back. I might not being pure joy but it wouldn’t hurt your ambition

likehelpful

I fully understand what you’re asking. I can relate. But I have learned two things in my 4 decade career: first, it is possible to have periods of happiness in advertising. But, in general, it is not a business filled with happy people. The second thing is that if your source of good feelings is your boss, your clients, or your peers, you are always going to be at their mercy. Lots of people talk about work/life balance. However, the real message is that work should not be your main source of happiness. Find a way to enjoy work without becoming addicted.

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I’ll never count on my job, awards or professional success to make me happy. Real happiness comes from a good life with the people you love.

That being said, being fulfilled at your job is definitely part of a happy life. In that sense, I do feel like I’ve ‘made it’. My job has taken me around the world, let me make work I’m proud of and win every award I could hope for. And I still have fun doing it because I’m working with people I like (most of them at least).

If you expect the right things from your job, it can definitely add to your happiness. If you expect your job to do it all you are in for a disappointment.

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No!

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Happier or more creatively fulfilled are two different things. I’d caution against chasing happiness at work - especially a business like this one.

I’ve seen the value of creativity diminish greatly in the last decade or so. Lots of clients say they want it and don’t. Or they don’t know what to do with a great creative idea when they have one. They’ll water it down, test it beyond recognition, etc.
Don’t make work your only happiness OR source of creative fulfillment,

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Yes, very happy. Worked my butt off when younger to get into this place. For me, it’s always making good work that makes me happy. Sure, a nice environment helps, but most of the time I just put my head down and graft.

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A few years back, I landed at a consumer agency, which felt like a step in the right direction. After two years, er lost the account and I got let go. That pushed me back into healthcare, where I still feel out of place.

I want to return to general market, keep growing, and eventually get to a place I actually love. My question is—does it get better once you’re at those bigger, more aspirational agencies? Or is happiness in this industry always a moving target?

How about the latest debacle with Cracker Barrell? Does she really make about $6million a year for what she does? Was that one job worth all the crap she's getting now? Though political and social beliefs and ideas shouldn't interfere, she has a 'look' and is being labeled via the press and social completely based of the terrible 'redesign' and her one photo.

Bigger is not necessarily the goal.

What do you consider “making it”?

My brother, it’s all a scam. I’ve won Lions in healthcare, and it doesn’t matter. You’re either selling sugar water or you’re selling meds.

It doesnt matter at all. Nobody’s going to remember a Starburst ad like it’s Goodfellas or 8 1/2.

Get your money, realize what’s important, and spend your free time with your loved ones and your passions. The rest is literal bullshit.

Echo everything ACD1 said — the stress can be difficult at times, but the goal is to find balance where you can. In addition to the things that you’ve already stated OP, “making it” to me also means being able to care for my family, get my kids through college, and generally come home happy most days. It can be challenging, but definitely achievable — and well worth it. The trick is being able to hang on for dear life while also enjoying the ride.

For me, happiness comes from what I have control over, which is the creative process. Things like the types of ideas I bring, the amount of ideas I bring or pushing myself to come up with ideas that I’m happy with.

I don’t focus too much on what I have no control over. Things like client approval, what other people think or budget cuts. I always try to find one thing that’s fun in every project and make that my focus.

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