Sunday Morning Philosophy

Yesterday morning I read the superb article "The Quiet Coup" by Simon Johnson in The Atlantic regarding what sort of advice the IMF would give the US about our current crisis if the US actually gave a shit what the IMF thinks. While the article is worth a read for its look at the causes, the current plan and what ultimately must be done in a way I've yet to see articulated, I'll do it the great injustice of paraphrasing: some really tough decisions must be made and the future of the US / financial system will not look anything like the past (if we are to be prosperous again.)

Which brings me to every other industry right now that's crying "Save us! Bail me out too!" This includes advertising. We've all see the layoffs, from varying degrees of intimacy. Surprisingly enough, it was harder for me to watch eight dedicated people get their walking papers one afternoon and be asked to leave the building than it was to see 300 people be told their areas would be shut down by the end of the year.

But here is where I feel The Atlantic article's advice meets the advice that everyone, from Timothy Geithner to your local ad shop's CEO, needs to hear: some really tough decisions must be made and the future of your organization cannot look like it has in the past if you intend to be successful again.

I think that's the hard truth that few are embracing right now. Sure, you can make layoffs and cut costs here and there and limp along until "this thing turns around" (if I had a nickel for every time I've heard that I'd have enough to turn this thing around.) Or you can act boldly. Act offensively not defensively. Instead of reacting to the pressures of the outside economy create your own success.

This gets to a personal mantra of mine, a pet peeve in a way. Anytime someone says "good luck" I'm always tempted to say "I hope luck has nothing to do with it." That's because relying on luck is a really shitty way to go through life. That basically gives you an excuse for anything that happens to you and absolves you of all personally responsibility for the course of your life. Bullshit. I believe we create our own luck. When you work your ass off, suddenly you seem "luckier" you know why? Because you are creating new opportunities for yourself rather than sitting back and hoping that by some cosmic occurrence you get exactly the outcome you want.

And it is from this belief that I offer this advice to agencies or business or individuals everywhere who are willing to listen: go forward boldly.

Take risks. Fail boldly. Succeed boldly. Reinvent yourself. Do not remain static. Do not recoil into the fetal position and hope this all blows over. You will not emerge stronger on the other side if you emerge that same as you went in.

There is a need for [insert your service here] but that need is not fixed. It's dynamic and ever changing and so you must be as well. If you're not obsoleting your own business model every few years you should be very afraid. Because someone else will.

And there you have it. My Sunday Morning Philosophy for you. Let's hear your take in the comments.