A great read and I loved the story about your boss and the conference calls. A nice blend of humanity and humour. The phrase "the bus is coming" is etched on my memory in a completely different context - standing by the side of the road with no shelter in the Devon countryside, waiting for an ancient vehicle of dubious pedigree to shudder into view. To hear that the bus was coming meant an end to standing out in the sleet or rain, which was good, but also the beginning of the school day, which was not so good.
Early in my agency career, a VP told me our bill rates were ridiculously high so that when the shit hit the fan--which it always did--our client rep had a built-in out by saying "This is why we hired the most expensive agency!" Lol. The distortions of the bullshit industry at work. On an semi-related note, I also once presented a copy deck for a website redesign for a Fortune 100 company and the first comment was from a high level exec: "This is horrible. I hate it." In her defense, I don't remember a thing about that presentation, but I will always remember her throwing me under the bus. But when I think about it now, it's hilarious. I imagine she was deeply upset about some other trauma and in the midst of launching a ferocious volley of second arrows upon herself when she realized she could also take out an unsuspecting conscript in the assault. Just spreading the wealth.
Nobody cares what you have to talk about Sara, we just want to hear you talk!!! Everything you touch finds a way to resonate with us readers. If you needed a little 'don't stop doing what you're doing, regardless how many subscribers you have' let this be it.
I completely agree - I've worked so much on eliminating as much of the negative self-talk as possible these last couple of years and I'm proud of the progress I've made. Sure, I slip here and there and I get that same inner-voice you do, where you just want to constantly put yourself down and call yourself every name in the book. And it takes intentionality and TONS of work and time but the results really are a game-changer. It's always good to see others taking these same steps in their own lives!
I loved this part "The gist of it is that the thing that happens that causes the pain is the first arrow, and the way we amplify the pain is the second arrow. We can’t avoid the first arrow. Pain is inevitable!"
So glad to hear from you again, Sara! I love the two arrows anecdote. It’s really something I needed to hear this week. Excited to (maybe) have you in my inbox more often
I love your posts--whenever they come. It's like a little surprise in my inbox where I say 'oh yeah' when they show up. And honestly, my inbox & life is so overflowing with stuff to do, the fewer posts, the better--ha ha. I mean that in the best way possible...because I'd always rather read your post than do shit on my to do list;-)!
Your writing is always clear eyed and honest, just wanted to send something to let you know it’s appreciated out here. In the torrent of garbage content that comes from the internet, I’m always stoked to see a piece from you in my inbox, keep up the good practice!
Having a boss who would mute the call to talk to her team privately eases the pain. She could see and hear you and when we are seen and heard it allows us to stand on our feet a little more solidly. Her comments instantly offered a wider perspective. May we all be a boss like that!
My life is so far removed from one like you describe that it feels like watching a TV show, I'm in private healthcare in a rural town in the mountains in Canada, and arrows still certainly fly up here but in a different way than in the corporate world.
Ooo, the second arrow is so real. I work in a small 5-woman design agency and the buses and arrows have been coming in hot and heavy (feels like a post-pandemic client attitude shift). Our repeated mantra lately has been "we could really just use a win." Yuck. But at the very least, I could tune up my own attitude because the double hurt is f'ing exhausting. No second arrows allowed.
PS: Agreed with the folks here! You can write whenever, however, whatever! It's a lovely little gem in my day!
No matter how often you post, I always enjoy reading it. :).
A great read and I loved the story about your boss and the conference calls. A nice blend of humanity and humour. The phrase "the bus is coming" is etched on my memory in a completely different context - standing by the side of the road with no shelter in the Devon countryside, waiting for an ancient vehicle of dubious pedigree to shudder into view. To hear that the bus was coming meant an end to standing out in the sleet or rain, which was good, but also the beginning of the school day, which was not so good.
Early in my agency career, a VP told me our bill rates were ridiculously high so that when the shit hit the fan--which it always did--our client rep had a built-in out by saying "This is why we hired the most expensive agency!" Lol. The distortions of the bullshit industry at work. On an semi-related note, I also once presented a copy deck for a website redesign for a Fortune 100 company and the first comment was from a high level exec: "This is horrible. I hate it." In her defense, I don't remember a thing about that presentation, but I will always remember her throwing me under the bus. But when I think about it now, it's hilarious. I imagine she was deeply upset about some other trauma and in the midst of launching a ferocious volley of second arrows upon herself when she realized she could also take out an unsuspecting conscript in the assault. Just spreading the wealth.
Nobody cares what you have to talk about Sara, we just want to hear you talk!!! Everything you touch finds a way to resonate with us readers. If you needed a little 'don't stop doing what you're doing, regardless how many subscribers you have' let this be it.
Thank you, Sara. I really enjoy your writing and look forward to your newsletters. Perfection is really boring so please keep them coming. 😘
I completely agree - I've worked so much on eliminating as much of the negative self-talk as possible these last couple of years and I'm proud of the progress I've made. Sure, I slip here and there and I get that same inner-voice you do, where you just want to constantly put yourself down and call yourself every name in the book. And it takes intentionality and TONS of work and time but the results really are a game-changer. It's always good to see others taking these same steps in their own lives!
It is always great to read your newsies!
I loved this part "The gist of it is that the thing that happens that causes the pain is the first arrow, and the way we amplify the pain is the second arrow. We can’t avoid the first arrow. Pain is inevitable!"
I really, really appreciate the nod to and explanation of The Second Arrow ➶♡
So glad to hear from you again, Sara! I love the two arrows anecdote. It’s really something I needed to hear this week. Excited to (maybe) have you in my inbox more often
This post is a great reminder of why I'll never leave the freelance world and go back in-house at an agency. No matter how poor I am. 😂
And you know this water sign can’t wait to hear the story behind that fascination with 🔥🔥🔥.
I love your posts--whenever they come. It's like a little surprise in my inbox where I say 'oh yeah' when they show up. And honestly, my inbox & life is so overflowing with stuff to do, the fewer posts, the better--ha ha. I mean that in the best way possible...because I'd always rather read your post than do shit on my to do list;-)!
Your writing is always clear eyed and honest, just wanted to send something to let you know it’s appreciated out here. In the torrent of garbage content that comes from the internet, I’m always stoked to see a piece from you in my inbox, keep up the good practice!
Having a boss who would mute the call to talk to her team privately eases the pain. She could see and hear you and when we are seen and heard it allows us to stand on our feet a little more solidly. Her comments instantly offered a wider perspective. May we all be a boss like that!
My life is so far removed from one like you describe that it feels like watching a TV show, I'm in private healthcare in a rural town in the mountains in Canada, and arrows still certainly fly up here but in a different way than in the corporate world.
Ooo, the second arrow is so real. I work in a small 5-woman design agency and the buses and arrows have been coming in hot and heavy (feels like a post-pandemic client attitude shift). Our repeated mantra lately has been "we could really just use a win." Yuck. But at the very least, I could tune up my own attitude because the double hurt is f'ing exhausting. No second arrows allowed.
PS: Agreed with the folks here! You can write whenever, however, whatever! It's a lovely little gem in my day!
Thanks, I've just subscribed to Foster.