I read a lot of posts here about difficult bosses, difficult clients, difficult partners, terrible briefs and terrible agencies. All that might be true. But it’s getting old. What I’d be interested in hearing about are the stories of how people have overcome the challenges. How did you sell that big idea? How did you fix a relationship? The world is not going to get easier. So maybe we can help each other get better at dealing with it. Who had a win recently? How did you do it?

Does anyone else get into this vicious cycle where you have things you need to get done and have plans later but you don’t get those things done because of procrastination and you super anxious about canceling and pleasing people and end up disappointing yourself

Is the Bella Vista area a safe place to live and raise kids?

Do you talk about work with your loved ones? Do they resent you for it? I have no idea how to create a work/life separation

My wife is in sales at Mercedes and she has been averaging $200k a year and growing YoY. She loves her job, however she works long days and barely gets time off. We plan on having kids within the next year or two, and it’s highly u likely that she’ll be able to keep her current gig. We want to find a career that allows her to work remote or that at least gives her a better work life balance so that she can see her kids grow up. Should she get certifications to give her a shot at adtech?Too late?

So much baggage brought into the relationship. 2 years in and just discovered a whole lot more. Its been mentally extremely difficult and it’s changed me as a person. Just venting but feel hopeless and I know my SO is suffering. Wish there was a solution but I’m losing hope

My confession is I have always had very competetive and hardworking close friends around me with whom I felt amazing to compete, do more and be the best. A few years back we all made to different countries, now I achieve far less than my potential and find it hard to be as efficient as before. How to fix this?

Female 🐠 - if your husband has mostly non-muslim friends, is that a problem?

I’m posting this here instead of my usual Big Law bowl because I’m guessing there are people here who will understand. I just need to vent. I am married to a wonderful man who has a young son. My husband is the kindest, most patient and supportive man I’ve ever met other than my dear late grandfather. He is saintly. But the chaos that surrounds him hurts me. I am the primary breadwinner and far out earn my husband and my stepson’s bio mom. I have always put pressure on myself to succeed (Cont.)

My boyfriend doesn't like to talk about his feelings. It's the time of year where he lost his sister (passed away) very suddenly and idk how to bring it up to him. I want him to know I know it's that time but feel like he'll just yell at me.

I'm an engineer, and I feel like my manager is more of a friend than anything else. We talk about our personal lives, and I feel like it's hard to be completely honest with her when she's so casual with me. I don't want to lose our friendship, but I also need to be able to talk honestly with someone who has the power to help me grow professionally. Is there a way to have both?

The man I love is now married to someone else. He was my best friend since university (were now in early 30s), we never pursued anything romantically (was too scared to tell him) and now he’s married to someone else and they have a baby girl. I went to see them and they have this perfect home and family. His wife is perfect, pretty & young and smart. I’m still single. I want to be happy for him but I was so jealous and sad and felt like crap. I can never tell him. Just had to let it out. :((

My brother-in-law (age 30) told us recently that he is transgender. How can we support him? (‘Him’ as we haven’t discussed pronouns yet). It was a surprise to us!

Planning on telling my parents about my white boyfriend this weekend…. Any tips or words or motivational words please

I’m going to be a dad! But I have some questions. When should I tell my manager/teams? I’m up for senior promotion this year, will this impact that promotion? For those of you that work in public what tips do you have for managing your work and family responsibilities? For context, my wife, once she’s done with maternity leave, will only work 25-30 hours a week. I know working in public and having a new born is probably going to be a lot to juggle, but I have to make it work.

Ugh, is that time of year again! Does anyone have any advice on how to handle "friends" and family members who spout conspiracy theories to avoid getting the flu shot

Married men of this group,
What advice would you like to give to the younger generation who are single/about to get married?

How to become good friend of manager?

I am generally uncomfortable when I’m around my mother-in-law’s husband.

While he is overall a decent guy, his anger issues, yelling at his wife for the slightest issue, and insulting nature makes me uncomfortable and triggers my own anger due to his blatant disrespect for just about everyone around him.

My mother-in-law says he’s worked on things, but it’s been 10 years of this and I’m not sure I want such behavior around my wife and our kids since we’re trying to conceive soon (cont).

Any suggestions on things to do in LA? Taking my underage sister this upcoming weekend for a visit

My wife often calls me by 5:45/6 to ask where I am if I’m not headed home yet. Sometimes she’s stressed with kids/dogs/dinner and really wants me home. This really throws off my concentration because it makes me feel rushed. Like many practices sometimes I’m out at 5:30, other times it’s much later. Just depends and is unpredictable. Any advice on how to approach this?

1 week sober! Over the last 12 years (I’m early 30s) I’ve reached this point just a handful of times. Alcohol is deeply intertwined into my social life much like everyone’s is I imagine. Feeling clear minded and energized. Want to stay clean for my own mental and physical health and for the benefit of my wife and children. Just starting this journey so thank you in advance to this community as I’m ready to learn from you all and be a part. Let’s go!

Anyone finding it harder getting managed money biz? If so, what changes or adjustments have you made in prospecting or sales approach? Thanks.

To what degree is the US economy isolated from the world's madness? There has to be a breaking point right?

What are some of your “schooling the client” moments?

What are firm’s known billable requirements? Is there a ramp up period?

What’s a pet peeve of yours that a coworker or client does? Mine is that my coworker says “ya know” after literally every sentence they say

Can someone offer some advice on how to potentially join finance transformation at the Big 4?

I have 5.5YOE, Got an offer for 25LPA CTC + RSU 10L vested over 5 years.

Domain is semiconductor software validation, can i do better ?

Not sure what salary to ask or expect since a lot of people get paid less than me and some get paid upto double for almost the same work.

Any tips for negotiating CTC and RSU ?

I was just informed after the third round of interviews they’d like at least 5 references, two must be supervisors. My last job was a temporary remote job where I didn’t really interact with my supervisor and the jobs before that were at my family’s business (I do not speak to any of them for serious personal reasons.) Anything before that was grad school and I haven’t kept in contact with any professors from over five years ago. What should I do? 😕

Should you gift your GF who has kids but not with you something for Mother’s Day? 👀 if yes what’s a good gift that’s not over involved ? (Not flowers or chocolates 🙄).

Any experience with Vermont service center H1B transfer recently without PP? Pls share timeline..

Question for F🐠. Someone asks you to keep them company via text, social media, maybe a phone call sometime etc. You'll be payed to do this. Would you do it? And what are your terms?

Do you buy insurance when travelling to US for fun? Moved to Europe recently and this will be my first time back in US without employer health insurance - should I buy travel insurance? Where from? Thanks!

How much are they paying for an Associate for contract management at EY?

Any chances to move from Europe to the States? How’s the visa situation? Are agencies sponsoring?

Do bankers usually send over LBO models to the data room if they’re brokering PE deals? Or is it rarely the case where they’re modeling out LBO’s?

Any Deloitte people that can help with billable work for a BTA?

Which is better Career Opportunity - Data Analyst or Cloud Engineer !?

Dear Creative Directors who’s only talent is showing up to meeting with a full repertoire of buzzwords, die slow. Thanks, everyone.

which agencies in the city are creative driven rather than account driven

If one more ECD tells me to think of ways to hack social platforms, I'm going to go insane.

Do you guys touch type? How long did it take you to learn? lol

What is your agency’s maternity or paternity leave policy?

Has anyone tried LinkedIn Premium while on a job search? Is it worth it, would you recommend, and why?

Retail, Social, Pharma. Fuck, Marry, Kill....

Is anyone expecting agency layoffs at the moment?

Is how nicely the deck is designed really that important?

My new agency’s healthcare plan only has ONE physician in NYC listed as in-network... is a plan this limited the norm?!

How much do senior strategists in LA make? Moving from NY to LA and wondering how much of a hit in pay I’ll take from lower cost of living or whatever recruiters will say

Is it had to become an Art Director for a fashion brand? Because I was told if you aren’t familiar with Textiles, patterns and fashion merchandising it’s hard to get into.

Tom Bagot, RIP

Would you work for Facebook considering they’re allowing political ads that spread disinformation and could influence our next election?

Finally wrote the 3 social scripts 2 hours before they were due when I was briefed over 2 weeks ago, what are you doing?

Advice needed!
I have been a strategy and planning associate for a year and a half (first job out of college), I found that I'm not really cut out for this sector of advertising and would like to get more into the creative area. I've applied to countless copywriting jobs but only get rejections. Does anyone have any advice? Are there other areas I should be looking? I'm getting so discouraged at this point so any feedback would be helpful.

Has anyone successfully made the leap from digital to brand planning? Any advice?

Anomaly NYC? Thoughts? Average AE salary?

Thank you all for existing on Fishbowl and for being such a supportive community. It’s been a difficult year, but at the end of the day, I’m glad to have people to commiserate/celebrate with ❤️🙂❤️