Election of the President 2016

To end his campaign, Trump created this piece of "red meat" for his base that is a weird combination of patriotism, lies and random facts that had his suppoters salivating. In short, he hit the emotional "hot button" that every marketer aims for.

Between the Cubs winning the World Series and the election a few days later, I can't remember a more exciting or nerve-wracking time I've had in years. By the way, I'm not a dyed-in-the-wool Cubs fan, but I am a former Chicagoan and still wanted them to win. For now, the political discourse and examination of voting patterns continues, and with talk a recount and possible vote-switching by committed Electoral College voters, a lot can happen between now and January 20....but I digress.

No matter the eventual outcome, may people believed that this was Hillary's election to lose...which she did in a big way. In fact, love her or hate her, I think she was one of the most-qualified people ever to run for the office. There's just one thing that killed her chances--most people don't like her, and instead of barraging us with spots all summer and fall to make us fall in love with her, her campaign directors created messages telling people how offensive Trump is.  You know what? The Trump supporters already knew that! They liked that about him!

Watch Hillary: Mirrors spot

Think about it: it you like a certain car or phone or refrigerator and someone says you are stupid for liking it, does it make you say "hey, you're right! Thanks a lot!" or does it make you angry and even more determined?

All the time, Trump is shooting off both his feet at every turn and every media outlet was there to record and air it. His own words placed him in the cross-hairs, yet Hillary did not send out a clear and concise message of what she was about. Her spots were about Trump.

Watch Hillary's Election Eve spot
The best spot Hillary's team created was her final spot, in which she spoke directly to camera, finally allowing us to get to know her as a woman and not as a politician. Unfortunately, this spot aired only on November 7 (about a million years ago, I seems), and was about two months too late.


Watch Donald's final spot
If you were on the fence at all, this was sure to push you over. But, like Hillary's, this aired right before the election, when it seems like all minds were made up.

During the entire campaign, I kept hoping for the return of Democratic strategist David Axelrod to Hillary's campaign. Did anyone ever ask the man who got an inexperienced African-American man elected twice, "hey David, got any tips?"  Guess not.

So, here we are. The best thing that can be said is that the worst and nastiest presidential campaign in memory is finally over, but the residue of one candidate winning the popular vote but losing the election will continue for the next four years. The vitriol and bluster show no signs of stopping, even in the holiday season.

But, Trump is a master marketer, and some (including yours truly) believe he may not last the full four years, when he sees how impossibly hard the job is. As we all know, marketing and promotion can only take you so far. I don't think the country should be run by P.T. Barnum, but as an American, I wish Mr. Trump well, because our combined successes depend on him succeeding.

A lot will happen between now and January 20, and the next four years will be a thrill ride. I just hope things get a lot more civil. Even if it doesn't, Spring Training starts three weeks after the inauguration, and that's always good for the country. Play ball!

Rich Brase
redrich24@yahoo.com

In this spoof of the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” actor Ben Stein calls out former Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge’s name while text on screen cites meetings and debates she has missed. When Stein calls “Grassley?” the Republican senior senator from Iowa pipes up — off screen — “Here!” - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/best-congressional-campaign-ads-2016#sthash.V83sVMBY.dpuf

In this spoof of the 1986 film “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” actor Ben Stein calls out former Iowa Lt. Gov. Patty Judge’s name while text on screen cites meetings and debates she has missed. When Stein calls “Grassley?” the Republican senior senator from Iowa pipes up — off screen — “Here!” - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/best-congressional-campaign-ads-2016#sthash.V83sVMBY.dpuf

Is 2014 Your Summer of Fun?

We all know about "staycations."  Whomever came up with this (clever) phrase somehow wants you to think it's suddenly become cool to take your few precious weeks off and save money by staying and exploring your home town.

People here in the Northwest will travel to Multnomah Falls, the Oregon Coast, the high desert or three hours north to Seattle for a Mariners game.  All fun ideas, but once you've done them, you've done them.  The same goes for your home town, I'm sure.

What I really want to do this summer is take a "Braincation" and take the time to reflect on expanding my horizons and really reaching out to others.

Forget New Year's resolutions,when the weather heats up, so should your brain.

Are you volunteering this summer?  Meeting at least one new person a month?    Exploring  new jobs and experiences through social media?

 

A dear friend of mine named Sherry, is calling 2014 her "Year of Fun."   She is normally fun and entertaining, but she has doubled down and is dedicating herself to doing fun things and living a fun existence throughout the entire year. I think she's on to something big.  Let's take our lead from Sherry, one of the great free spirits in America, Let's take a slightly smaller bite of the ambition apple and make it in the summer of _____. 

Fun?  Commitment?  Volunteering?  Friendships?  Water parks? Loving people? Movies?  Being fabulous?

Make a three month commitment to have fun, make more money for you, your company and just plain improving.

Let's also try to do less worrying, watching television, eating crap, being sarcastic, losing our patience and grumbling.  I am guilty of all of this.

We've waited nine months for the good weather.  Let's not blow it.

I you're in AZ, it's already 120, so I can't help you, but for the rest of us, I'm doing as much as I can afford, and am focused on a summer of introspection, self-improvement and fun.

Thanks for the tip, Sherry.  You are so smart.  Bring on the warm weather.  I'm ready.  Now, if it would just stop, raining here in Oregon.

Rich Brase
rich@richideas.net

Career Fusion: Creating a Blended Work Life

Career Fusion.  How's that for a term to describe your life?


In fact, I think this amalgam of words perfectly reflects what so many of us are doing these days--melding together similar or dissimilar careers or hobbies to create a fully satisfying life.

In my case, my love of broadcasting, marketing, music and baseball have become part of my new career and revenue stream for the past five years.

No 9-to-5 office job for me, babe.  Perhaps you've made a similar switch in your life and career.  You used to be an accountant for a large firm.  Now you're a free-lance accountant/ventriloquist who also works at a vineyard.  You're a hyphenate.

Oscar-winner and puppet-master Kevin Spacey has his hands in lots of things

In the beginning, it felt funny (being just one thing) and leaving my last job, not having a place to go for 40 to 60 hours a week and having a group of colleagues with which to eat lunch.  If you are like me, I was my job.

Too obvious?  Oh, shut up!

The current reality, especially if you are an experienced professional, is we now have the chance to be all the things were meant to be.

Writer Richard Paino describes it as "easy (and usually prudent) to give up on one’s love of something because it doesn’t pay enough to keep up with the bills. It is also common to toss aside one ability for the sake of another that is thought to be more practical. But consider the idea that a person can use his or her work related talents in ways that also serve unmet inner needs."

Paino presents us with this video of Robert Gupta, who was confronted with this same conundrum of which way to go in life. Instead of choosing one path or the other, he married two seemingly disconnected career paths, medicine and music. He found a way to satisfy his desires both to play music and heal others.

This is one space where effective problem solving and creative thinking are applied to career planning.

Take a look at my career.  Yours, too?

Mr. Paino continues:  "Thinking, for example, of how to marry chemistry with sports or of finance with furniture making is both challenging and bewitching but can add some clarity in making a career choice. It can involve  taking stock of one’s knowledge, skills and abilities, reflecting on what is missing in the work life, and brainstorming with friends, family, and a career counselor. The more people involved in the process, the more potentially beneficial unions may surface."

"Applying one’s varied abilities or interests in a joint effort or through multiple professions has the potential to deliver great life satisfaction. Finding the right approach is perhaps dependent on a person’s identity. No matter how one chooses to get there, it will require a great deal of self-evaluation, creative thinking, the courage to engage others and a watchful eye for opportunities."

I call it Career Fusion.  Fuse your passion with your future.

The Importance of Clear Direction

Giving and getting clear direction.  It seems so simple and obvious, but is often difficult and complicated.  The importance can't be underestimated, and often makes the difference between a successful campaign and a forgettable one.

Here are five signs that the direction is fuzzy, at best.  If you see these, stop and ask more questions... or gird your loins for a Sisyphean feat:


I'll know what I want when I see it.  Promo Coders know how much I hate this lack of direction.  If you happen to hit a home run, trust me, it's just a coincidence.  This statement reflects lazy thinking with no true objective, unless you hear...

Give me something with attitude.  Your first question should be, What kind of attitude?  Aggressive?  Detached?  Confident?  Don't be surprised if this is just shorthand for...

Make it cool.  Remember that Simpsons episode where Homer became a vo actor for an animated dog, Poochie?  Backward hat and sunglasses in tow, this approach perfectly mocked the "cool" direction.  Nike has never called themselves cool, and has spent decades reinforcing their cred.  The quickie alternative, of course, is...

We need something that will go viral.  Newsflash: If you set out to make something that goes viral (without paying for it, of course), it ain't gonna happen.  The reality is, this is lightning in a bottle, and nobody really knows what will hit, even if you hear...


It should be just like x, only a little different.  Charlie can only bite one finger.  Yes, you can put up a toddler biting Marley's finger, but it  won't work.  The same goes for all that "me too" stuff you see on-air.  Just because Ford uses kinetic typography like nobody else, that doesn't mean Fiat should start using it.  Your brand should develop its own voice.  Period.

 
So, how does one overcome muddled direction?  Very simple.  

If you're giving direction, present a clear road map with plenty of room for ingenuity.  Know the brand, playing field, uniqueness of the challenge and parameters.  Then, make sure these are conveyed.  (Hint: Use active listening.)

If you're getting unclear direction, stop and ask for a clarification of the above.  What's more, try to discern if the range is 4 to 6, 2 to 9, or just 5.  (Hint: Use active listening.)

This way, there will be less last-minute panic and more time to plan the party.

-Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com 

Five Ways to Thrive as a Free-Lancer After 40

Are you tremendously qualified and yet feel you've been searching endlessly for that perfect job only to ultimately lose out on jobs to people way less qualified?

Feeling frustrated, bunkie?

Look, I know you miss the hubub and stimulation of working in an office, and if you're over 40 (or especially if you're over 50), they ain't calling.  You keep applying to open jobs that clearly have your name on them, but no dice.  Another rejection...or worse...they don't respond at all.  Like you're invisible.

They don't want you.  They want a 25-35 year-old with "upside," not someone who can hit the ground running and help the company grow.  They want someone they can train, not someone who comes ready-made with a great work ethic.  They will think that they can't afford you, but won't take the time to find out the salary you require.  If you're currently out of work, it's amazing how much "bang for the buck" they could get with you.  Sad but true.

Personally, I've been told I'm intimidating (a 6'3" New Yorker), which can be a tough sell off the east coast.  From Fresno to Framingham, old pros are bringing their baggage and heading out to pasture without their permission.

So, Uncle Promo is here to help...to give you hope in 2014.  Time to get your free-lance business up and sprinting today.   Less moping.  More money!

Julia began her career humiliating various breed of fowl at 49

1.  Figure out what you want to do when you grow up. 
     The people who console you by saying "this could be a good thing" when you first lost your job? 
     Yeah, these are people who have never been out of work.  These are the same people who
     say  "it's all for the best" when someone dies.  Is it?  Have you ever been dead?  It's not fun,
     'cause there ain't no encores.  But now that you have the time, make a list of the things you
     absolutely would NOT want to do next.  The rest of your life is a blank canvas.  Spend as much
     time as you can exploring other jobs and asking questions.  If you're lucky and you ask the right
     questions of your friends who are also changing their lot in life, you will find something to
     light your fire and help you pay the rent quickly.


2.  Make a name for yourself
     Don't delay.  Create a catchy company name, spend the money, get with your lawyer and start an
     LLC, get your business cards printed (vistaprint.com is a cheap and easy start) and build business
     and marketing plans.  This will be cathartic...really, it will.

Attention pwease...I am now on Twitter.  Roll tape!

3. Start spreading the news
    Get out there and network.  I know it's a pain and you feel like such a phony, but that's now your job. It will take a while, but let those cards flow.  They won't do any good in your wallet. Be particular about the events you (and your new company) attend.  Those networking events through your Chamber or local Ad Club are usually a waste of time and money.  They're mostly boys and girls just starting their careers, independent insurance agents and financial planners trolling for clients.  These folks will take your card and call you...to sell you on their services.   Move along, Sonny.     

4.  Stay current
     Do a lot of reading on trends and try to develop new skills you never had time to develop
     when you were pigeon-holed in your last job and you had employees doing things that YOU  
     now have to know how to do.   Your business is changing daily.  Blink and you'll be left
     behind permanently.   Plus, every new technology is fun...once you master it.  Not on Facebook,
     Twitter and Instagram?  Do it today.

Wait for it...wait for it...

5.  Be Patient
     Toledo wasn't built in a day, and neither will your new
     career.  Start slowly and focus on building your new
     career one client at a time.  The first year or two will be
     tough, so you may have to nail down another job to pay
     the bills, but that can be fun, too.  You'll be opening
     doors to a new parcel of work pals, and thus new
     opportunities. That's not a sin; it's a necessity.

I don't have to tell you it's like the wild west for free-lancers out there, but once you get your rhythm, you will find your niche and thrive. 

Let me know how you're doing.  Unless you're bidding on a job against me, we're all in this together, but talent wins out every time.  You know you've got the guns.  Time to focus them and take the credit when your plan comes together.

--Rich Brase
redrich24@gmail.com

One New Year's Resolution You Can Actually Keep

In 2001, I made a resolution never to make resolutions again.  It's the only one I've ever kept.  After years of going through the ritual, I realized that they're a waste of time... simply a list of shoulds.

First of all, we don't keep them.  Think of all the gym membership cards that gather dust by February.  

Second, we make excuses for not keeping them, if we remember them at all. That was so long ago...

And third, if we keep them just because they're resolutions, we really don't want to... and eventually, won't.  You know it's true.

Here's scientific proof, Part I:  It's only January 4th, and you've probably already forgotten what you promised the world a mere four days ago.  Either that, or chalked it up to eating too much over the holidays... but now it's under control, right?

So why bother?  If you want to make a change, it doesn't work if it's simply calendar-related; changes occur because of genuine motivation (positive or negative).

Change is ongoing.  It's also called learning, growing, evolving.  Like Woody Allen's shark, it must keep moving or it dies.  This is true on both personal and professional levels.

Here's scientific proof, Part II:  How'd you do on your resolutions for 2013?  What's that, you say?  You don't even remember what they were, much less making them?  

Despite best intentions, chances are, resolutions were kept for a few weeks when convenient, then conveniently forgotten. There are exceptions, of course, but I'll bet not many.

So this year, do yourself a favor.  Liberate yourself with the last resolution you'll ever make... and the only one you can actually keep!

And now, on to 2014...

-Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com

Raising a Strong Daughter in 2014

I've been a writer, producer and bad trombone player, but want to know about my current job?

For the past 19 years, I've been the father of a gorgeous, smart and talented young woman. 

With sons like these, my poor mother should have ended up in Bellevue.

I'm as proud of my daughter as (I hope) you are of your kids, but I'm still learning how to do it as I go.  To start, you need to know that I grew up in a family of boys (three to be exact) and the biggest kid of all...my dad.  My poor mother never had a chance--hockey, baseball, basketball, football,  Add the fact that I have no aunts, uncles or cousins and didn't have a lot of women in my life growing up.

Fast forward to the day Gillian was born.  The best day of my life (hey, you thought I was going to say it was the day I bought my Prius?).  Like most of you who are parents, a day hasn't gone by that I haven't worried or wondered about the best way to raise her. 

Every day, I sweat how to raise a little red-headed girl to be a woman of strength and character.

Let me call on a real expert--Dr. Linda Nielsen, a professor of adolescent and educational psychology at Wake Forest University.   Dr. Nielsen suggests that dads focus on the "M & Ms" of raising daughters--men, money, mother, meaning and Myths & misconceptions.

MEN
Teach your daughter that it's OK to express and be assertive about her opinions and her needs.  Make sure you're there for her when she's upset.  Most of all, teach her to be herself, showing appreciation for her talent who she is.  Most of all, get her to communicate directly with the men in her life, not necessarily through her mother and other women.

MONEY
Teach her how to be self-reliant and grow up without believing that any man is the key to avoiding financial hardships.  Help her gain freedom and confidences to make wiser choices.

MOTHER
She loves her mom more than anyone can measure, but make sure you get your alone time with her.  Give her the gift of you, and use your time to teach her things she needs to know.

MEANING
Encourage meaningful personal conversations with you.  She needs to give dad the chance to develop the same meaningful relationship with you as with her mom. 

MYTHS AND MISCONCEPTIONS
Let go of the myths about men.  Show her that men do talk about personal issues, how we can be empathetic and nurturing, communicating well.  We do love our daughters as much as women.

Since 1990, Dr. Nielsen has taught a course called "Fathers & Daughters" at Wake Forest, the only course of its kind in the U.S.

And so my terror began on an overcast November day in Chicago.

It's been 19 years now, and I wish I knew how the final portrait of her life will look.   But raising a self-reliant and confident young woman is a job I take seriously.  My life has taken a few bumps along the way, but I'm always aware that how I handle things is setting an example for my little girl.

I'm not sure if I'm the perfect dad (she's our only child and is away at college in NYC most of the year), but I hope you believe that being a parent is the best job in the world, because it is.

She may not say anything, but I know she's watching.  So, set a great example and keep talking to your daughter, because the way you treat women is how she will expect to be treated in her life.

Let's make 2014 a great one for all the women in our lives. They deserve it.

Happy New Year to you all.

--Rich Brase
redrich24@gmail.com

Celebrating our First Anniversary with Uncommon Honesty

It's been a year since Ed and I started The Promo Code with the idea that we could spread some marketing joy to all the good little boys and girls in the media...or just people who loved talking about media and promotion.

It's all good, y'all.

Christmas is only nine days away.  This is a favorite holiday for a lot of us, to be sure.  Even if you are not a "Chritmas person," it's time to celebrate all your blessings and the people who enrich your life.  It's also the time where countless writers and columnists want you know that they're thankful for their dog, their parents and the fourth grade teacher that pushed them on to greatness.

This year, I celebrate honesty.  Even when it stings a little.

I was talking to an old creative services friend the other day who asked me what former employees would say about me. I gave a truthful answer based on what I knew were the thoughts of over a hundred people I've supervised over the years.   A lot of those people have worked for me at multiple stations.

The answer was simple:  kind, generous, flexible, funny, talented...and incredibly handsome.

The truth is--I've never actually asked.  What boss would actually ask "what's it like to work for me?"
It just never came up from people I was supervising.  Have YOU ever asked?

As their supervisor, it was MY job to tell them what I thought of THEM and how THEY were doing.

Are your intentions being properly being received?

So, on a frosty morning in Portland, I had coffee with an old friend, who used to work for me but who now works at another station.  Since he left my employ, we get together to talk about family, mutual friends, musical theater (that's right) and television.

So, I took the opportunity to ask the question--what was I like to work for?  Some of the answers took me aback.

When I thought I was helping by editing spots, I was actually screwing things up (I am not a good editor). 

He said a lot of great things about me, but I should have asked this question years ago, so I could polish the rough edges and become an even better manager.  I think it's called 360 Evaluations--where your employees get to evaluate you.  This is a double-edged sword, as no matter what you do, some people will walk though fire for you, but some will hate your guts even if you give them a big raise. 

It's easy to put on blinders and say "I'm the boss and I'm smarter than the rest," but this is wrong in so many ways.

So, heading into Christmas, I rejoice for my family (who love and criticize me), friends (who tell me the truth) and a warm house to come home to.  As you go through your journey, don't forget to ask "how am I doing?" from time to time.  It may smart a little, but what you learn will open your eyes and make you stronger.

For that, you should give thanks.

Wondering what this gorgeous woman sees in me

In case you want to know, I'll be eating Christmas tacos  with the beautiful Victoria, my fantastic daughter, Gillian, who is home from college and our good friends, the Franklins, so it should be a great day.  You should come over.

Merry Christmas and happy Promo Code anniversary to Ed Roth, my partner in crime, to you and every one you know. 

--Rich Brase
redrich24@gmail.com

What I've Learned From Ron Burgundy

I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Ron Burgundy is everywhere and he's got my attention - big time!  Not the character, but the publicity campaign that borders on genius.  The efforts virtually guarantee a huge opening, as well as word-of-mouth that plants Anchorman 2 firmly in the consciousness of the target market.

In addition to the Dodge commercials, which technically don't count because they're spots, four recent initiatives got my attention.

1.  The trailer was emailed to me, directly from Ron Burgundy.  That the trailer was a great one was secondary.  As soon as I saw the name in my inbox, I smiled.

2.  Ron's appearance on that North Dakota newscast.  Overnight, the broadcast went viral, proving that big events can come from anywhere.

3.  His ESPN interview with Peyton Manning.    

4.  He opened the NFL pregame today with an analysis that was hilarious.  I didn't expect to see him, which only added to the enjoyment factor.

This latest effort has reinforced the importance of originality, especially when developing marketing and promotional campaigns.  True, there are few characters who have plugged into the sensibilities of media types like Ron Burgundy, but that's secondary.

 
By the beard of Zeus, I'm motivated to keep finding organic and entertaining ways to increase viewership, always making sure that it is unique to the brand.  Social media is key, of course, but isn't the only game in town.  Gotta think outside that cardboard receptacle.

So thanks for the push, Ron Burgundy.  We should have a scotchy scotch scotch together soon..

-Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com
 

Where's the Bow for my Christmas Lexus?

Today, I'm thinking about advertising I love and hated in 2013. 

What I loathe in 2013
Social media overtaking our lives
Reality TV being seen as entertainment
Local TV news all looking the same
Santa endorsing every product
Christmas spots for luxury cars with big bows on the roof

What I love
Great graphics
Spots that dare to be different
Spontaneity
Diversity
Advertising Surprises
Clever writing
Promoting the Olympics

Are you already on Christmas spot overload?

"Wow!  How many spots are Target running?" asked my bride today, while watching CBS This Morning.   I saw a spot for them selling artificial Christmas trees.  This is particularly troubling, as I live in the state that produces grows more Christmas trees than anyone else, but I digress.

Clearly, there is value and Target is out to take over the world. I am just happy that Black Friday is almost over and the ten thousand ads for socks, electronics and other things I don't need right now are almost gone.  I even give one local advertiser points for making all their graphics black and gold.

I really do hate Christmas spots.  Do we really need to work Santa into every product?  Since (thanks to global warming) only a percentage of this country will see snow between now and December 25, do we need snow in every spot?

I'm really not Scrooge or the Grinch, but just a typical American who is already overwhelmed by the images (cliches) of the season.  If you're living in LA, San Diego, Miami or Houston, the sight of snow falling on your new Lexus' bow doesn't ring true.

Lexus December to Remember spot

By the way, who buys $80,000 cars for their spouses for Christmas?  I love my wife, but I can only dream of being able to afford a luxury car under the tree.

Looks like socks again this year...but no fake trees.

OMG!  I AM Scrooge.

Merry Christmas, kids.  Have fun driving your new Lexus.  Don't forget to take off the bow before you drive to the grocery store.

--Rich Brase
redrich24@gmail.com

What Keeps You Up at Night?

We could all learn from Homer's Odyssey.

Approximately 75% people don't get enough sleep (source: The Promo Code).  Either they can't fall asleep, can't stay asleep, or don't want to sleep.  For people in our industry, I think the figure approaches 99%.

Which gets me to thinking (at 4am, of course): Why are we awake in the middle of the night, when sensible people are recharging their bodies?

It's not logical.  We know that we need the golden slumber:  7-8 hours would be great, but we make a deal for 5 or 6.  We're more responsive, alert, think clearer.  It's a no-brainer, from a left-brain perspective.

It's not desirable.  Who wants to be up watching infomercials and writing blogs in the middle of the night, while all those individual padded coils (or whatever they are) await?

It's not healthy.  With less sleep, we're more susceptible to sickness and crankiness, which is definitely not good for the health of your relationships.

This is a time you don't want to see.

So, why don't we sleep at night?

Since I work for a TV show called "The List," I've decided to answer the question... in the form of a list.  (And yes, that was a shameless plug for the Scripps-owned access program.)
 
Top Three Things That Keep Us Up at Night 

1.  Free-Floating Stuff.  Could be anything and usually is.  Syria.  Money.  The mortgage.  Football.  How much braces cost.  Gas mileage.  That pain on your right side.  Money (again).  And, oh yeah, work. Which leads to...

2.  Stuff You Did.  Did I edit that spot the right way today?  Did I respond with "Reply All?"  Was that report due yesterday?  Should I have eaten that burrito?  It's not about regrets; it's more about reviewing your day as you prepare for a new one.

3.  Stuff You Didn't Do.  I didn't get around to writing that blog, call for new insurance, set that doctor's appointment, start my diet, follow up with Bill in Accounting.  Here's a better copy run. Doesn't matter how minor, it's still floating around in your brain.  And what better time to review than 3am?  As my friend, Al, likes to say, "Purrrr-fect, Batman!"

To date, my best solution to stay in Dreamland... is to make lists.  (Shameless plug, part deux.)

If I'm up in the night, I write down what I want to accomplish during the day, no matter how trivial.  This way, I know I won't forget in the morning (another cause of staying awake), and I'll get everything done.  If not, I know I'll face an entry that hasn't been crossed off the list.

Quick aside: David Brenner used to tell a joke about how he would think of the funniest things in the middle of the night, but by morning, he'd forget what it is.  So he decided to put a pad of paper and pen next to his bed.  This way, he could write it down.

Next night, he wakes up laughing, and remembers to commit the hilarity to paper.  He falls back asleep, content that he's got the best joke ever.

In the morning, he excitedly leaps out of bed and looks at the paper.  It says,  "Uncle John is chasing me."
 
Moral of the story?  You don't think that well in the night, but if you write stuff down, at least you can get back to sleep.

This actually works and the funny part is, If you don't remember to do it during the day, your brain will remind you... just in time to watch a new way to separate eggs.

Sleep well...
Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com
  

The Entrepreneur's Guide to Combatting Loneliness

I'm an entrepreneur.  I work with some great companies and non-profits to help them market themselves. It can be very exciting.

The entrepreneur assumes the position.

It can also be one of the loneliest things you can be, especially if you once worked in an office, complete with the daily buzz of a diverse work force, donuts in the break room, fun people to have lunch with and bosses to bitch about. 

You used to work in that world, but you decided (or had it decided for you) to leave and stalk out on your own.

You're sales manager, writer, designer and Chief Schmoozing Officer.  When you're taking meetings, producing a product, helping clients succeed and even picking up an occasional check, life is glorious.

But when all you do is send out e-mails, create proposals and prospect for business...it's the worst.

The fact is that being self-employed...like loneliness in general...can be a major health issue, as serious as smoking and obesity.  There are even studies that link loneliness and early death.  Let's face it--we're built to be social animals and not having clients or any social interaction can be devastating.

When you're starting to feel down, are in a losing streak or not generating a lot of income, here are five ways you might consider to kick-start yourself:

Want to meet for a drink before the temperance meeting?

1.  Call someone different every day.
We're living in the world of e-mails and texts, but talking to a neighbor or friend you haven't talked to in a while can relieve stress.   Make it a scheduled event for the end of the day, when things are winding down.  But, talk about anything except work.  You might even get a new idea or get help solving a problem without even talking about it.  Also, it will make you feel good.

2.   Work out.
I'm not the first one to tell you this and I could lose a few pounds myself, but if you've got a few hours and nothing going on, get off your butt and go for an hour-long walk with your iPod or go to the gym. 
If you can go with a friend, even better.  I'll bet you're not getting enough exercise, anyhow.

3.  Volunteer.
Take an evening a week...or even a month...to make a difference in someone else's life.  I love movies so I volunteer once a month a local non-profit movie theatre.  I get a rush out of popping corn and working the box office, plus I meet a lot of people I wouldn't normally meet.  No strain, no stress, but a Win-Win.

4.  Go out to lunch.
If you can go out with a friend, so much the better, but do NOT eat lunch at your desk when you're depressed.  You could take your sandwich and iced tea out to the deck, but better yet, go out to a park, your local Subway or anywhere there are people.  You'll be amazed how refreshed this one hour away from your desk can clear your head.

With friends like these...

5.  Join a club.
It's so easy to become isolated, working from your desk in the basement (your company's World Headquarters).  Join a running group, take a painting class or get involved in something other than business. 

Basically, get out there!!!  Do something different to change your routine.  I'm a big believer in Karma and that being busy makes you even busier.  Gaining a new friend gets you even more friends.

Working gets you more work.

Sitting alone in your company's World Headquarters get you...lonely and fat.

Now, let's have lunch.

--Rich Brase
rich@richideas.net

Be the Coolest Person in the Room

If you were a tree, this would be you.

The world changes from moment to moment.  Governments teeter on the brink of bankruptcy.  Industries lurch from quarter to quarter.  Companies are bought and sold daily.

With all this anxiety in the air, as well as day-to-day demands, here's a solution to help you keep your focus.  In two words:
 
Stay cool.

History is filled with advice urging zen.  Rudyard Kipling's Keep your head while all others are losing theirs.  Great Britain's Keep calm and carry on.  Frank Costanza's Serenity now!  And, of course, Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax, don't do it.

Here's the annoying part: It works.

When you're operating from a minefield of emotion, that's when mistakes are made.  You react.  You're impulsive.  You act out in a way that feels good at the moment, but that moment is fleeting.  This rarely ends well.

This is often a challenge in an industry as passionate as ours.  We're encouraged to think creatively (not just creatives, btw), interact with people with very different perspectives  and, oh yeah, reach consensus quickly.  Definitely a combustible combination.

Which makes it that much more important for you to always retain your composure.  Passion should never be mistaken for craziness, and vice versa.  You don't have to look any further than our political leaders to see that grandstanding and hostage-taking is not leading;  Looking for reasonable answers is.
 

Whether you're running the show, or freelancing for the day, stay focused on the ideas at hand and don't fall into traps.  It's easy to be diverted by personal issues (yours and others'), difficult situations, or looming crises.

Be the calm one in the room.  People respond positively to your confidence, and, in turn, eschew superfluous issues.

Stay cool.  It really, really, really works.  No, really.

It's all good...
-Ed Roth
edrothshow@gmail.com