Finding joy and purpose this holiday season
We know it’s been a tough year for marketing, as it has been for most industries and professions. I think I speak for most of you when I say that a little downtime this holiday season is both welcome and needed.
One of the joys of my job in the crow’s nest is that I have the great fortune of seeing the marketing panorama every day, gaining insights and perspectives from the many sides of the industry. Through that lens, here is my advice to you as we head into the winter break:
- Wherever possible, press pause on specific tasks so that your mind can connect the dots on higher-level ideas. It’s kind of like how you remember where you left your keys when you stop looking: taking a breath to consider the big picture will make the projects and details more seamless come January.
- Reflect on how the challenges of 2020 have led to increased endurance and perseverance – even joy. Maybe your business was able to pivot in a way you never thought possible, or maybe you discovered a talent you never knew you had. Now is the time to look back on those achievements and celebrate them. Our Gold winners at the CMA Awards Show and Gala are a great example of what marketers can be proud of this year.
- Read a good, hearty marketing theory book. There are some amazing Canadian authors, including CMA lifetime member Mitch Joel. A book that really helped me to understand the psychology behind marketing is Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman – check it out!
- Choose a trend or technology that you’ve only scratched the surface on and dig deep. Maybe that’s blockchain, AI, programmatic media or something particularly relevant to the sector you serve. Throughout this past year, our CMA community shared a wealth of knowledge through Marketing Connected, Marketing Connected LIVE and the CMA Blog. It's definitely worth the time to cruise through and see what piques your interest.
- For the marketers just starting out – don’t be shy. Reach out to others for a conversation and you’ll be surprised the responses you get. You can find inspiration for conversation topics and thought starters on our CMA NXT platform. We really are all in this together, and the spirit of generosity in our profession will astound you.
Finally, display gratitude and hope wherever and however you can. In my case, I’m incredibly grateful to the members who continued to support and show confidence in us through the many peaks and valleys this year has taken us through. I’m also incredibly optimistic for brighter days in 2021.
Happy holidays and we’ll connect again on January 11.
Best,
John Wiltshire
President and CEO
