Comments on: What Do You Expect?

By: nobody who ever did anything great expected the worst. « CHARLES PERRETTI

nobody who ever did anything great expected the worst. « CHARLES PERRETTI — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 10:29:46 +0000

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By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:09:35 +0000

It’s important to distinguish between negativity per se and the accusation of negativity. I have worked with many people in advertising and design who were in a position of power (through a social arrangement like a company position, or simply through their family money) and were used to getting their way. Some were talented, but invariably, they were able to maintain a mythic sense of their own world-historical significance and the value of their own contribution, and were incapable of seeing or rewarding anyone else’s talent or contribution. When they said, “You’re being negative,” what they really meant was, “I’m the positive one here.” When they said, “Be a team player,” they meant, “Do what I say.” When they said, “That’s unprofessional,” what they meant was, “I’m the only one that gets to do things like that.” So don’t be negative, but also, don’t be afraid to be accused of negativity!

By: rich

rich — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:14:34 +0000

i’m hopelessly optimistic too.
i choose to believe what a friend w/ ALS told me once when she could still speak: “I look at everyday as a gift.”

:cheers:

By: Jonathan Hutter

Jonathan Hutter — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 02:18:18 +0000

Of course your friend may have just grown up on Mel Brooks movies, since, “Hope For The Best, Expect The Worst” is a song from The 12 Chairs.

By: Jason Palmer

Jason Palmer — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:43:33 +0000

” we will never beat the british, no point trying, I am going home” – George Washington

By: Blaah.

Blaah. — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 23:41:47 +0000

One fascinating thing about job searching and the internet is that you can usually figure out who agencies hire instead of you, when they have a job opening.

I’ve had a couple of eye-opening experiences this month, as after some Google hunting I find these folks and think “there is no way a creative director could consider ____’s work better than mine.”

So, I’m left wondering “Am I as good as I think I am?” Given the amount of genuine kudos I get from well-respected ad peeps, I think I have some talent.

So then, I ponder “Well, if that’s the work they think is good, I probably don’t want to work there anyway.”

Maybe I’m a arrogant prick, or maybe not.

Negative things happen, and then positive things happen.

Or do they both happen at once?

By: admin

admin — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:03:32 +0000

Jerry,

What a good problem to have. I’ll tell you what my friend Sally Hogshead told me many years ago. “You can’t turn down a job you haven’t been offered.” There’s no harm in speaking with these recruiters. Even interviewing. It doesn’t sound like you have an actual written offer yet. Until you do, there’s no decision to make. If any of these recruiters have something good to say, I’d listen.

By: jerry matthews

jerry matthews — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:51:28 +0000

Ah yes, the power of positive thinking. But what happens when the universe starts throwing curve balls? Like right now, I have my eye on relocating to a new city/market and potentially a new employer (I’ve been freelancing for them since June, and they’re working toward bringing me on FT). We’ve signed a lease on a house there. Found a renter for our house here. And the moving date is set. Only NOW I’m starting to get 3-4 recruiter contacts a week with possible job opportunities here. Granted, none of them are a sure thing. And all of ‘em would require some serious (as in, 1-1.5 hours each way in general) commuting. But through it all, I keep reminding myself that I have to trust in my gut…and believe in my future success…and recognize that all these “offers” are just a test.

By: Ron L

Ron L — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:45:18 +0000

I guess I’m what you call a closet optimist. Inside I’m always thinking not “if” but “when” and the happiness that comes with “when”. Outside I always try to remain even keeled. The last thing I want is for anyone to feel sorry for me and for some reason I’m uncomfortable with compliments. I also accept the fact that failure could be a possibility. IF something doesn’t work out at least I tried. I let myself hurt, be angry, etc. then move on.

By: PlumIslandGal

PlumIslandGal — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 22:29:46 +0000

I always hated that “expect the worste….” saying. It actually makes me feel anxious when I think it or say it! I’m fron the “Keep your eye on the prize” camp. If you can see it, feel it, taste it, it’ll come. Oh, and don’ forget: “If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”