Back To Work

Someday we will look back and reflect on the year 2020. Some will remember it as the worst year of their lives. Others may recall the lessons learned and claim that it made them stronger and wiser. Many who’s lives were upended by the loss of their livelihood or the loss of their loved ones may prefer to not look back at all. As I reflect on the circumstances we have been presented with and the reality that there is a good possibility this is just the beginning I am grateful for each and any glimmer of hope that things may return to normal. Since there is no clear direction and everyone is operating from different playbooks that are re-written daily, a few staff members decided to work at the office today.  We did so without certainty that we are permitted to.  The lack of clear direction and certainty about anything is the hallmark of this situation. We’re back. Just like that. We did it. I just worked a full work day at the office, with other people there, but at a safe distance.  We are operating with limited staff and its still relatively quiet but I am happy to report that we are back at it. I am cautious not to celebrate. While I can defend our collective decision to spend a day at the office because of the technical limitations we face in working remotely, I am aware that many business owners wisely elect to wait to return.  It is not lost on us that many workers are just not ready to come back for a variety of reasons, including concern over safety, concern over giving up the unemployment benefits and concern that there simply isn’t any work.  Again, uncertainty is the dominant theme and bringing it all back too early presents the risk of consequences that cannot be undone.

With that, today I felt the entrepreneurial spirit in me completely renewed. That incredible vibe that comes from multiple creatives in one space is back. The desire to relaunch the business like we are a startup on our first day dominated my thoughts and actions. The fear of failure and concern for everyone’s well-being lit a fire that reminded me why I love my job, my calling, my gig.  I wanted this picture as I needed to journalize how I looked and felt the moment I was going to re-start and re-invent the whole thing.  This morning our amazing and talented photographer Jessica Yanesh asked what we were going to do today. I asked if she would take my picture in my office. If this dork in a t-shirt and jeans is going to steer this ship through a storm, we needed a picture. Let’s be honest, it’s easier to start a business when you are young, ambitious and hungry.  Starting a business when you have been working at it for decades is a bit more challenging.  If social media existed when I started out I would have had been much easier to post pictures of what I was up to because those pictures wouldn’t need the touch-up that my pictures need now.  The good news is, it turns out Photoshop has a filter that automatically removes the battle scars caused by experience. In fact, today’s re-start of the business has made me realize that it’s time to face the reality of what has happened in the modern era.  Every business owner who has embraced social media has fallen in to the trap of embellishment and every business owner who has avoided social media is clearly afraid of a post that shares too much.  Somehow I am guilty of both.

When you have been working for nearly three decades it is possible that you could develop a bit of an attitude. On social media or in blog posts that attitude isn’t a good look. According to my advisors it’s not good for the business or the brand. However wise, insightful or spot-on a rant is, it has been explained to me that said rant is risky or a turn-off, and to say or post anything other than how great things are is dangerous.  But what if things aren’t great?  The experts on social media marketing tell us we have to come up with a way to tell the world how great things are even when they are not. As a result of that training I have forgotten how to be truthful and sincere. I want to learn that skill again.  I want to tell the world how hard this is. I want to be raw and open and speak from the heart.  I have been told that in this modern era of digital marketing that is the the worst thing you can do. According to the experts, puff up the bird.  Don’t let anyone know the real story. Here’s the reality I consider. The economic conditions we will soon be facing have the power to force individuals who were set to retire by age 50 in to working until they are 60 and force those who were set to retire at 60 in to working well in to their 70’s.  State and Federal unemployment funds are being depleted. Businesses and livelihoods are being wiped out.  The greatest country on the planet can’t find, nominate and elect a competent leader.  That’s where we are.  Yet still I am happy.  Today I woke up feeling good.  I had a great cup of coffee, got myself together and found incredible joy in reuniting with my co-workers.  In the absence of leadership, clear direction and any sense of certainty or clarity we are going to make this work. Oh, what I wouldn’t give to go back to the crisis that was Y2K right now.  Everyday I am thankful for all that we have and all that I don’t need.  I am in this business for life and and no matter what, we are not just going to survive this, we are going to have a legendary, obscene and ridiculous amount of fun.  This applies whether we survive or fail.  Either way, I am going to say it like it is and never be afraid to post my thoughts or my picture.