As communicators especially those of us who are entrepreneurs we have a responsibility to live in the real world. To live in living colour. To participate.
And after many years of 16 hour days when I was just too exhausted to fully engage, I understand now that my role as leader of a strategic communications firm is to live and work a different kind of life, one that moves me from previously small world of billable hours into a bigger world of imagination and social contribution. Having made that decision I began looking at things differently.
A night out on the town with my husband or friends became a chance for me to observe new trends and report back to my team so that they can offer our clients the best advice. I committed a great portion of my time on developing ideas I was passionate about that could serve others and give back to the world. In return, I saw my networks grow.
As communicators there's lots we can do. We can be taking advantage of a wide range of cultural offerings, from film to theater to art to dance. We can volunteer for political campaigns. We can recognize that there is a responsibility to have continuing education in our field that is dependent on getting out of the office.
I know, believe me, I know all this is a matter of finding the time in our already overstretched schedules but if our role is to guide, advise and be more strategic with our CEOs and clients can we do anything else but.
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Being in law school does not mean restricting me to my field. When I tell people that I am an intern at a communications firm, they often ask me how come? Why not at a law firm? Don’t get me wrong, I love law and I can’t wait to be a full time practising attorney-at-law, but I have other wide-ranging interests as well. Reading, travelling, experiencing new cultures and meeting people from all walks of life has taught me that there’s a huge world out there, with so many different things to experience. Why not do things that interest me as well? I have learnt a lot from working in areas outside my field, getting involved in outreach projects and being an Indian classical dancer all of my life. I am sure these skills will be useful to me somehow, if not in law, then in some other beneficial way.
It’s quite refreshing to do completely different things. It makes focusing on each individual thing easier. I always try to mix it up. I love spontaneity and I’m always up for trying and learning new things. It’s what life is about. Who knows where it will take us, who we will meet and what skills we will need.
I went out last week and managed to see a massive old german army tank parked outside of 51 degrees, with huge redbull stickers on either side and i said to myself, wow look at where the world of promotions and campaigning has reached ! How many of us remember Edward Bernays ?
'...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.'
What do you think ?
My job as the Founder/Owner of Trinidad weddings.com leads me to deal with many suppliers in the wedding industry and couples every week, go to wedding industry events, collaborate with companies that we have formed strategic partnerships with in order to build our brand; to constantly re-invent our website’s offerings and be seen as the leader in our industry and as an innovator; all the while balancing my role as wife, mother to a toddler, daughter, sister, friend and daughter-in-law.
How I try to seek balance and experience every day fully is by taking the time to “listen to the world” which is basically being in tune with people and with my surroundings (and yes, it’s true, the best ideas can indeed come from a night on the town or out in my garden!). Or actively involve myself in other activities unrelated to what I do – for example being part of the Board of my residential community, doing freelance writing, donating to charities through event proceeds and merchandise sales from Trinidad Weddings.com or doing the unexpected, like taking a pottery class just to learn something new and keep my brain energised.
Ideas and contacts are everywhere, in every experience, it is up to us as communicators and as entrepreneurs, to turn them into innovations.
somethig completely unrelated to your field. The fact that you are entrepreneur
dabbling in pottery is so cool. Thanks for your comment Simone.
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