I’m glad boss couldn’t go to the conference and I had to go in her place instead. Meeting marketers from other industries is always refreshing for a change. You will then realise that the marketing world you are living in is really far too myopic. At least, for me.
I looked through the list of delegates and I realised I was the only small fry there. All the designations were big. Chief Marketing Officers la; Regional Marketing Directors la; Head of Global Marketing la, etc from companies like Facebook, M1, Nokia, Ogilvy, SingTel, Standard Chartered Bank, etc. I almost didn’t want to exchange name cards. But that’s beside the point…
You also then realise that these top-notch marketers are at their positions today – for a reason.
These people are charismatic. And there are just far too many smarter brains to pick. And most importantly of all, they are passionate about their jobs. It is that amazing. I could literally feel their passion oozing out of their skin, even through the few minutes talking to them during the networking breaks and luncheons.
I need to mix with these people more. Or rather, I need to meet with and hear from these people more.
It reminds me why I chose to do marketing in the first place.
This conference came at a good time for me. At a time when I am starting to question what and why I am doing what I am doing. At a time when I feel that I cannot draw any more inspiration and motivation from my job, and even the people around me.
At a time when I tell a few people that I want to go upgrade myself with a MBA or some skills certification, and all I get are either some disapproving or discouraging remarks. Don’t they understand that I need some brain stimulation, and talking to and hanging out with them don’t satisfy me at all in that area?
Then again, now as I am penning this, I wonder why I even bother to ask people for their opinions. If I feel something would benefit me, I should just go ahead, isn’t it?
At a time when I wonder why some friends are so free that they can call/text me at all possible opportunity to gush off their thoughts about this new guy they just met and knew and wonder if there is a possibility between them.
Get a life!
If you think there is a possibility, just go ahead. Cos I wouldn’t know. I’m not him. I’m not you. And to be really blunt, I’m not interested – especially when I am at work or when I am having lunch or when I am going to bed. Because anyway, the next time these people contact me again, it’s going to be a different guy anyway!
Anyway, I digress.
The conference also reminded me of something my mum used to say to me when I was only in Primary school. “Compare yourself only with those who are better and stronger than you, for you will only strive for improvement then. But compare yourself with those who are on par with you, or worse, weaker than you, you will only turn complacent or worse, feel self accomplished for the wrong reasons – which will only lead to your own degradation. The path is yours to choose.”
So now, I think about the people, friends and associates who are supposedly in the marketing line that I know. Better, on par or weaker? Hmm… Maybe it’s high time to “change” some “friends”.
