This month, marks a time around a year ago, that I decided to put it all on the line. Throw caution to the wind and start trying to aggregate enough insight, enough nerve and enough relationships to make a run at the advertising job of my dreams.
It all started with one relationship that will continue for years to come...as long as I never become a Habs fan. I learned it's not all sexy and Hollywood. It's tough, it tests yourself and the people close to you; tears relationships apart, but gives you the tools to build them back up and succeed. Great work will be rewarded, while unworthy work, will be dismissed - usually along with the person responsible. Of course, some always squeeze through the cracks and make it by hijacking somebody elses' hard work.
The most important though, the work I have put in, not only sets me apart from the riff-raff that do inhabit most agencies, but sets me apart from the ones also trying to breakthrough.
I've learned so much. I've met so many. I've spent so much on coffee, wine & beer. And now, I'm on the cusp of breaking through - like a duckling from an egg with a bright new world ahead. Is it daunting? Yeah it really is. It's easy to have the right things to say; do the right things to get noticed; but, the hardest question I've been asked successively over the past month is "why will you be good at it?" I really don't know why...I like to think because like all sports greats say "failure is not an option" Although, how will I know my writing will be thorough? My budgeting skills precise? My relationship building strong? My presentation skills engaging?
The answer to this...I don't have an answer (contrary to my mother's belief). But I know this. When I get something, I get something; and I get the Ad industry.
Finally the point to all of this. I feel that my graceful transition into a worthy agency type is due to two people...myself and the Leaf's fan in Gastown. I wouldn't have traded this journey for anything else in the world. The agencies I've seen and the people I've met, give me more hope for the future than anything has.
No wonder it's the hardest industry to get into.
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