Last week, I was thoughtlessly scrolling through Instagram, when something suddenly and clearly occurred to me, this sucks. And, that sucks. Because Instagram was once really cool. It was a place where you could post one picture at a time. And, as the name indicates, the original idea concept embraced and a photo would be taken and instantly uploaded. It was simple and pleasant and fun to use.
No, this isn't about that one. This is about our one. I was listening to a book called, Primal Branding: Create Zealots for Your Brand, Your Company, and Your Future, which maps out the seven elements of any belief system. Since I've listened to about 25% of the book I figure I know enough to talk expertly about the subject.
If you'd asked 23 year old unmolded piece of clay me what I wanted to do I would have had no idea. But, I definitely knew I didn't want to do sales. Sales is just so sales-y. It requires a suit, and a 'pitch' and absolutely worst of all, rejection. I mean, my dad is in sales, and I am not going to do what my dad does. Duh. Aww, 23-year-old Adam.
As the year comes to a close, it’s time for us to take a look at all that has happened in 2017 for our family in Houston. Let’s call us, the Thirteens. It may be cliché to call the people you work with family, but to me, it feels like family. I actually call everyone (excluding my partner) in the office, “the kids.” I know, I know, I am only 36. But, look at in “work years.” If I was ‘born’ in 2003 with my first job out of college, that makes me 14 today – that sounds about right – which makes most of my team, career-wise, small children.
We have so much power. We don’t realize the power we wield with our devices. And, it’s not only powerful, it’s easy. We can Facebook message someone’s startup to success. We can connect comrades and change their course forever. And, the worst part is we know this and we don’t do it for one some of the worst reasons imaginable; laziness and thoughtlessness.
It’s a confession because there is something wrong with the Houston Texans. I am not necessarily referring to their lack of success, though it plays a role in any teams’ likeability. It’s not the players. I know Watt is a bit polarizing, but Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins are as likable as they come. I really like Coach O’Brien.
In my unscientific and inaccurate assessment, 90% of company posts are uninspired, irrelevant or just entirely forgettable. Forgettable is great news for those who aren't. If social media is full of mediocrity, then there's heaps of space for opportunity.
Before, during and after the “800 year storm,” I paid attention to the behaviors on social media, of my friends, and, of course, myself. Housebound and bored (but safe), I immediately began to brand the storm and attempt to save the world with a t-shirt.
I am addressing only the daily crapola. I am talking about when your AC stops conditioning the air. I am talking about when you look down and your body looks kind of mushy. I am talking about when there are ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife (I figure why fight what Alanis already perfected).
Meet 11-year-old Chris Holland. I met him last week as he held up a sign that said, "Raising Money to Get to the Junior Olympics." It was over 100 degrees and this cat was out there marketing himself like the internet doesn't exist. I pulled over and told him there was a better way. Kudos to Chris for getting out there and at least doing something.
