If you read this blog more than once a year you're probably sick of me telling you I used to be swimmer and cycle a lot.
When I was a teenager being an athlete used to define me, maybe too much if I'm honest.
But when I swam I felt powerful and capable, I felt special.
When I cycled in latter years, I could put the power the down to feel anything but average.
I never lost the addiction of the deep joy of doing something well.
It's why I love planning, though I may be well below the best in the business.
Because few can really do this job even well, and some have said I can do that at least.
Planners can make magic come out of the seemingly mundane, it's alchemy really.
To me the rush is at intense as a runner's (swimmer's) high - the feeling of pure joy also known as flow.
But when it comes to sport.
I'm not young anymore and for the first time, I can feel my body slowing down.
The times I used to do are further out of reach.
My shoulders ache more after a swim.
Hills feel steeper.
And I hate it.
It's tempting to deny it and just push harder, but that's putting off the inevitable.
And making myself ill.
Raging against the fading of the light doesn't alter the fact my body is older.
And it's part of a deeper problem.
I'm not special and neither are you.
No matter what the task or skill and most people believe they better than most.
Even though, by definition, most people are not the best- they are average.
And once you accept you are not special at what you do, or because of what you do.
You're liberated to simply enjoy it.
So I'm learning to be more present in just enjoying doing sport.
Rather than competing against others, or myself.
In the job, I'm beginning to love doing it, not worrying what peers think.
Learning to take the pressure off.
And oddly, when you're less tense about doing your best work.
The best work comes.
Who knew?
Adland as a whole could remember this too.
Because we're paid to connect brands with real people.
To make them popular and sell.
Yet 'selling things' gives many the ice.
Work most people enjoy feels like 'dumbing down' to many.
People are not stupid, but they can't be arses to work out what point you're trying to make.
So take the pressure off and enjoy making your clients popular.
Loosen your grip and see what happens.
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