Friday, March 12, 2010

"Well, we didn't get all dressed up for nothin'..."

So I turned down a job. Huh? I can hear you saying (some of you are screaming), "are you out of your mind?" After your screams have faded you'll say, "so, you turned it down because the money wasn't very good." Nope. The money was very good. In fact, they kept adding money after I told them I wasn't sure. They were ready to give me a signing bonus, a yearly bonus, relocation package and 3 months temporary housing. After you've stopped screaming at me, we'll talk. Done? Good. Pour yourself some sweet tea, or whatever you have in the house, and listen. Yes, it was a good pay check. And yes the people were nice. But here's the thing, it wouldn't have challenged me. Ever since I left my job in Austin, Texas six months ago, I've been on a quest. I'll admit, the word "quest" seems a little too Dungeons and Dragons (or World of Warcraft for those of you born after 1990). But, it truly is a quest. Why? A quest is fueled by lofty goals and nobility. There is a feeling of what one does on a quest will change, strengthen and in some cases save the soul of the adventurer. So, it's not a label that should just be affixed to any task. But, make no mistake about it...I'm on a quest. So, cue the John Williams music and watch me gird my loins, (Uh, don't actually watch me gird my loins - I'm shy). So, now that we're back from our trip to metaphor point, let me tell you why I turned down a good paying job after six months of unemployment in this wretched economy. I'm only interested in work that resonates with people. Work that inspires and has a purpose beyond commerce. I can hear you saying, "Steve, you work in advertising and advertising is commerce." I would argue that the best advertising has a purpose beyond just commerce. I look at the stuff that moves me - the brands that really motivate and inspire - and it sure isn't dictated by price point. The BMW "Joy" stuff is brilliant and inspiring. I've watched that campaign unfold and after about a year I couldn't tell you how much a BMW costs- but man, do I want one. This is the kind of work that I want to be a part of. And I want to help other brands find a voice with purpose. The job that I interviewed for doesn't see that as important. It would be exactly that - a job. A paycheck. So, I turned it down - much to my wife's amazement. But after talking with her and explaining my quest, she understands. This, like most quests will be bloody. But, when the dust settles, we'll both understand why we girded our loins (can women gird their loins?) and pushed foreword. If I may quote the modern day philosopher Rocky Balboa, "Life isn't about how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward...that's how winning is done." So, we move forward...