More Than A Feeling

To be a graduate of Sheridan College is more than an average feeling. It's more than anything I could even explain in words, I have never had something so prestigious happen in my life before so it's hard to explain what it is I will be thinking on the day I walk across the stage and accept my diploma from Sheridan! Watching my dad, sister and grandparents eyes light up as they see me on one of the most important days of my life will be something euphoric, something out of a novel that can only be factitious. I have dreamed about graduating college since before I can even remember, I for some reason thought it was such a cool thing to be in a college and going to school for what you love. So when this chapter of my life finally came I was on cloud nine and couldn't wait to begin and at the same time I couldn't wait to just finish at the same time.

As much as I wanted to enjoy college and all it would offer me, I kind of wished I could just shut my eyes and open them and it would be over. Which is actually how I can kind of describe it to you now; after all these years have past and the worst is certainly behind me... It almost seems as if it wasn't that hard, it wasn't as long as I had thought. Describing the last several years leading up to this point in time I would have to use,

Enjoyable

Apprehensive

Stressful

Exciting

Creative

Outstanding

Unpredictable

Insightful

Meaningful


"Enthusiasm is excitement with inspiration, motivation, and a pinch of creativity."

- Bo Bennett

The Final Four

I have finally made it to the last four weeks of college and I couldn't be more excited! The days are numbered, as are the assignments due. It has been a long time coming and it almost feels like a dream now that it's actually here. Every semester that has gone by has been one step closer to finishing what I started a few years ago, something that has been awaiting it's exit from my to do list to completed tasks list. I have a lot of people cheering for me and wishing me the best on my final stretch of college.

I have been slowly watching the pile of assignment rubrics decrease in size as the weeks come to an end, I can say that there has been no greater feeling than throwing out old assignments one by one. And to see the good grades continue to come in as my group mates and I work extremely hard to finish with a bang and take everything and leave nothing. I have watched myself and my groups face challenges we shouldn't have to come across, yet fight to the end and come out winners! I have seen stress get the better of my friends as we push through the final weeks which to me are the hardest of weeks on so many levels. I have found the final weeks to be mentally, physically and financially draining to a whole other level of stress! It has taught me more than I could have asked for but left we with pain I wish I didn't have to experience. I remember talking with a teacher who has given me a tremendous amount of advice throughout the semesters that have helped me persevere through the toughest of assignments and the earliest of classes. After listening to that teacher explain how the final weeks of school will test your limits beyond your limits can go, they will beat on you until you have nothing left to give, but you must accept what tasks lay ahead and continue to do what you have been doing all along. The final four is a true fist fight that losing is simply not a valuable option.

Throughout the final four I will indeed enjoy my time I have left here at Sheridan, but I will also rack my brain like no tomorrow. We all have a rough road ahead and it will not be easy, it will be the hardest part of this journey. An aspect you must laugh at and get your head on straight in order to succeed and not become another negative statistic you dread hearing about. 

I will make the final four weeks my B****, good luck to all of my fellow classmates in the final four. We need it now more than ever.

 "You have to fight to reach your dream. You have to sacrifice and work hard for it."

- Lionel Messi

Changing Factors

The advertising and marketing industry are so diverse and forever changing. This aspect makes it very difficult to decide what one should do when entering the industry, which path should be taken, the beginning steps could be a huge deciding factor in ones jump start to a long last career. Although I am still young and not yet fully in the industry; it still boggles my mind at times when it comes to thinking about what it is I actually want to do within the industry. It's like I said in previous blogs and it certainly is no mystery to people who know about Advertising that it is a tricky industry to find what you are specifically good at and want to continue doing for the rest of your life. Where does one begin, where does one take his first steps in a role that leads him to his dreams. How do you know you are beginning in a place you will eventually warp your life around, a life that can only be changed by the time that passes you by. Time no man or woman can ever gain back.

Just last week I went to my big interview at an agency downtown for a media role, but several weeks prior I would never considered that due to my love for sales and client relationships. There are changing factor with every corner turned and it at times can be the most stressful aspect of my day! I suppose finding a common medium will help, making an executive decision with several factors in play and rolling with the tide. Not regretting your decision and pushing forward through the stages of life, the stages of what will surly be a long lasting career in an industry I truly love.

I suppose there are changing factors in everything we do, whether is be school, career choices, relationship/friendship choices or even personal life choices. The factors do change and I guess it's up to us to decide if we should change with them, let them pass us by or feel defeated by them. Ultimately, we as people have the choice to make up our own fates, to change our own factors. We cannot live in fear of what changes are to come; we simply meet them face to face and find a solution that will enable us to learn, grow and become a better person throughout each change that goes on in life. We simply have to learn with changing factors, because no matter what... Change will occur.

"It is change, continuing change, inevitable change, that is the dominant factor in society today. No sensible decision can be made any longer without taking into account not only the world as it is, but the world as it will be."

- Issac Asimov

The Interview Process

The interview process is usually a fun time for me, I enjoy meeting new people and going into interviews ready to showcase the work I have done thus far. I have been working hard for many years to achieve what I have now and it's a great feeling to be able to show people what I have done, who I am and where I came from. It's a big part of my life to do so and I am proud of who I am and what I have accomplished in life. So for me when I go into an interview setting, I am calm, collected and ready to sell myself to a company that will hopefully change my life, a company that will make my dreams come true! There is no greater feeling accepting a new job that you know you deserve. 

But last weeks interview was completely different, it had me on my toes the entire morning and I had no idea what to think. I am usually cool and ready, but this time around I felt nervous and scared of the opportunity at hand. It was a blessing and an awesome opportunity for the beginning of my career hunt and to my future, but it had me in a weary state. I just remember over thinking everything and underestimating my ability to do well in an interview and to simply be myself. I had a tough time calming down and focusing which is not like me to do before an interview. I remember pulling up to the agency and being on pins and needles. I had to find a way to calm down and find my center before walking into the building and meeting my future. 

I had a glass of water and I did what I usually do... Talk with myself out loud. Explain to myself that everything will be fine and the worst that can happen is I don't get the job and I continue looking for the right job for me. There is a specific job out there for me and I will have to take my time and go through the process of finding the right job. Nothing in this life comes easy so I have come to terms with, but that doesn't mean everything is hard and nerve racking. I just need to remember who I am and who it is that got me to this point and all I have accomplished in life and it will show me that I have nothing to be afraid of. Everything will work out and I will be just fine.

So I say this.. To all of my fellow graduates, friends and family who are heading out in the job hunting world. Remember that you are where you are because of your hard work and dedication for success. Remember that and you will never need to worry about an interview. Believe in yourself and you will prevail through what tough times lay ahead.

"By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination."

- Christopher Columbus 

What Advertising Teaches Me

I believe advertising to have taught me many different things over the past few years, I believe one of the main lessons learned were about creativity. Creativity, isn't just about the best and brightest idea but about one idea that has meaning or better yet; any one idea that shows the bigger picture. Advertising has taught me how to think more creatively, how to see things in a different perspective, it has helped to broaden my views on what I think to be creativity at it's best. Not to say I wasn't creative before or that my creative thinking process was lacking or underdeveloped. It was simply... Untapped, a big part was yet to have been unlocked; but when unlocked it would show me creativity in a whole new light. I now look at a creative idea, a painting, a commercial of some kind and look for the big idea, the hidden message that only when found shows its true nature. It's a gift that can easily be mastered when motivated enough to learn.

What advertising teaches me on a daily basis is more than just numbers, subheadings, body copies or strategic planning. It teaches me how to understand communication, how to see things for what they truly are, for what is hidden underneath the many layers.

When I think of advertising/marketing and all its methods and paths, I think of it as a big majestic tree with branches and leaves that stretch out into the sky without any boundaries or limitations. A tree that will never stop evolving, that will continue to grow with the ages of life! The tree stump and base is Advertising and Marketing itself, the branches are the divisions and sectors within the industry and the leaves are the professionals (people) and their prestigious titles... This tree is connected to every branch and leaf that grow on it, just as advertising does. What I have come to understand, you may not work for the same company, the same people or even on the same campaign(s). But the main idea is the same throughout the entire industry; it is embedded within us all. Everyone is out there working for the same goals, the same objectives with the same purpose. The branches or sectors may do it in a different fashion, the leaves or professionals might have different work ethics/styles. But when it all comes down to the main goal, the BIG idea... The industry, much like the tree. It works together. All advertising may not be pure, truthful or accurate. It may not always grow as one. But the beauty of advertising is that, we can make it our own. We can create whatever it is we wish! The choice is ours with which path we choose to take.

"Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected."

- William Plomer

Life's Achievements

Achievements in life come with such happiness, within a state of progress. It has been such a fun ride cruising through semester after semester achieving good grades, achieving key roles in the workforce and overcoming challenges and deadlines that become the aggressive push one needs to do the impossible. There is no greater feeling than to receive a high grade for the work you and your group members produced, it's an amazing somewhat euphoric experience to complete an assignment, hand it in and stand in front of your peers and present your hardened work that you believe in. Even though you know you can do better, you know that you could have added in another key element that would have exceeded your limits and the teachers expectations. With achievements there is always be room to grow, room to become better and room to improve upon mistakes made throughout the lengthy journey from receiving the assignment to submission. It is our duty as students who work hard to achieve only the best in school and in life; to continue bettering ourselves in such a way that we become untouchable.

My greatest achievements throughout the last 9 years of my life come at a heavy cost, they come with a past or a burden if you will that will last a life time. But will not define the entirety of my life. Losing years of your life can become hard, something that none should have to suffer,  but several do! I made it through the darkest hour, which helped mould me into a young man who is fulfilling his passion in life. The thing about achievements is they never fill the gaps in your life, they simply help with your purpose in life which is what we all seek at some point or another. A purpose, this purpose my differ from person to person but above all it's the purpose of life... A purpose to live the life we as young individuals dreamed about but never thought we would see; that to me is the beauty of achievements. When we achieve, we progress and when we progress, we change and when we change... We change for the better! We mustn't fear what achievements can bring us; we must simply embrace them and grow from them so that we can become the people we were meant to be in this world, hard working creative minds. 

But if there is something in life I learned about achieving goals or anything for that matter, is that you cannot take them for granted because you never know if that was your last. You must accept, you must celebrate but you must asses and learn. You must keep a steady mind and prepare for the next and only then will you realize that life is filled with wonderful achievements, so keep up the hard work. 

"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

- Franklin D. Roosevelt 

A Way Of Life

Advertising is a way of life for me, it's a dream that I chose to follow, a dream that I found an interest in and later turned into a life's passion. I am uncertain what had me hooked; maybe it was the fact I would get to dress up in a suit or be apart of something innovating. It's hard to say. A way of life isn't just about doing something you have an interest in, something that simply pays the bills and gets you from day to day. Well, it is. But a way of life is something that chooses you, something you have a connection with. It becomes apart of your daily routine just like going to the gym or brushing your teeth. Someone once told me that we all have a purpose in life, something to work for and be proud of and that one day we would all understand what that purpose is and fight for it. There is no time like the present to find what your way of life may be. I am lucky enough to have found the answers I was looking for and for me... The answers weren't easy to come by, nor was it an easy journey to travel. It was a long road, a road that at times I had to walk alone. Was it scary? Yes, it was! But I managed to fight my way through the darkest hour and join the world I was so distant from, the world I gave up on. The world I thought didn't exist.

You can never tell from just looking at a person where it is they came from, just like you can't judge a book by it's cover. Sometimes people hide their pain, the pain that helps drive them day after day. You cannot take away a mans pain just like you can't take away a mans past because it's apart of them, in some way it's apart of who they are or better yet... Who they were in a past life. But your past is not what defines you, what you do with your life now is what defines the person you see in the mirror. The way you live your life and what you choose to do with it is what truly transforms you into the person you wish to be so do not fear the past and do not expect the unexpected. Instead, do what makes you happy, do what you were meant to do and make a unique and fulfilling life out of it! It's your life so take control and live it to the fullest because after all; we only get one. Success demands pain, and pain is a state of mind that we can choose to live in fear of or we can choose not to accept but something we break free from; break free from a sheltered life and see the true meaning of what it is we all seek. It's simply... "A way of life."

Advertising is my way of life, it's what drives me to do better, to be better and I wake up everyday thankful I was able to find something I am good at. Something I can be proud of. My way of life defines who I am and gives me the strength and courage to continue on; does yours?


"If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it."

- John Irving





 

A Passionate Eye

Finding your passion in life can be no easy task, it can be one of the difficulties our generation shares with one another. Times have drastically changed and us students become burdened with such difficult and life altering decisions with what one should do with the rest of his or her life. As young individuals we need not only figure out what our passion is, what we love to do and what we can envision ourselves doing for the rest of our lives; but we must factor in other elements such as, will this industry grow or decline in the next five to ten years? Is there a demand for jobs when I graduate from College? What type of experience will I need? And many more. Unfortunately for us it isn't always about what we want to do in life, but what is realistic in today's society. It all can be a scary, it can be a stressful time understanding life and trying to grasp a simple concept such as what I want to be when I grow up. Life can be confusing and at times all but fun when it comes to the stresses of "The rest of our lives" one must make sure to accept the future and all it's troubles it may bring you and simply... "Figure it out kid."

To be completely honest with all of you, I haven't been more passionate about something before in my life. When one continuously talks about what you have done at school after school hours, when one talks about what was done at work, when you stay after hours in an office to better understand concepts within the industry or work on an assignment and devoting your time researching about what it is you do. All these factors show not only yourself, but your peers the passion you have for something you truly love doing and for me that makes everyday in the life of an Advertising Professional worth while. In other words... "The juice is worth the squeeze." Having a "Passionate Eye" for something in life, I like to think is an accomplishment you have achieved in life. Figuring out what you are passionate about, what you're preparing to do for the rest of your life makes for an amazing and unique accomplishment to add to a long list of accomplishments to achieve in our short but ever lasting young lives. Everyone has a past, with a past comes a future, but fear not the future because your future has yet to be written. Think of the now, live in the present and fight for tomorrow, fight for another day you are granted in this life. Find your path and begin the journey to whatever it is you seek; believe in yourself and with belief comes motivation, with motivation comes passion and with passion comes true success! You have it within you to do what you choose with this life; so make it count. Follow the dreams that led you to this point and I promise you... A beautiful life is awaiting to blossom.

With that being said, I encourage you all to find your passion, that one element you want more than anything, that one thing in life you can't live without whether it be music, art, advertising, writing or helping people and grab ahold and live abundantly through that passion. 

"Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you."

- Oprah Winfrey

Game Changing Letter

I remember like it was yesterday when I received my acceptance letter to attend Sheridan College for the Advertising and Marketing Communications program. I was excited beyond belief and didn't expect the package to come in the mail. Even though you know deep down that you deserve something good in your life to happen or for your dreams to knock at your front door, you always expect less. I never understood why that is; maybe it's just human nature to expected the worse and hope for the best. Anyway, it was an afternoon during the summer time; I can't remember which day it was for the life of me but I remember being at home and enjoying a beautiful day with my girlfriend at the time. My grandfather came in the house with the mail and I remember him yelling my name saying... "MATTHEW... You got mail here! It's from Sheridan College!!!" After hearing that I remember my girlfriend looking me in the eye and smiling and saying, "Your future is here." and I immediately ran downstairs and opened up the package only to find enclosed a confirmation letter welcoming me to Sheridan College for the Fall term 2012. I was overjoyed and it was so serial I couldn't believe what I had just read. Those words on that piece of paper were music to my ears and I had never been happier.

Throughout the remaining summer days I began to prepare myself for what was about to come my way. I began reading Adweek articles, researching agencies, phrases, definitions and more to get myself equipped with some knowledge so I wouldn't go in blind. It was a fun and exciting time and I couldn't wait for everything to come my way. It was as if the World suddenly stopped and my dreams were looking me dead in the eye and I had but one advisory to beat, that advisory was me. It was a blessing disguised as an opportunity and I wasn't ready to let it slip through my fingers for any obstacle that was about to come my way.

"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."

- Winston Churchill

Where It All Began

I have never blogged before so I find this very interesting and exciting at the same time. For my first blog I will be talking about "Where It All Began"... Meaning When, Where and Why I chose to fall in love with Advertising and Marketing. It all started when I was about fifteen years old which will be nine years ago this March. I was at home during the summer hanging out around the house watching TV, movies and listening to music all at the same time because "I like to party!" If you didn't get that it was a Talladaga Nights reference. Anyway... So I was at home hanging out as I said and then an awesome commercial came on, an ad if you will and it was something rather simple but fun; it was a Coca-Cola commercial which caught my attention. After seeing this commercial I went upstairs to my computer and I began researching commercials and watching some over and over again until my father came home later that evening. As soon as he came in the door I asked him where commercials came home, who made them and how were they made. His words were, "Wow! Slow down dude and let me get dinner going and we will discuss your crazy and spontaneous obsession with commercials." So eventually dinner was made and we had finally sat down and began eating dinner. He then started to speak and I immediately interrupted him and asked a million questions which he finally told me to shut up and began explaining where commercials came from. 

After dinner was done and our conversations were had, I went back upstairs and began looking at ads and commercials that I thought were rather appealing to my eye. And it then dawned on me that I would love to be apart of making and designing ads, commercials and whatever else was associated with this type of business. And ever since that day nine years ago, I have worked my ass off to finally get to where I am today which is a Advertising Executive to be fast approaching his graduation day which I have waited for my entire life. 

Each day I wake up and I feel more motivated and inspired to do what I always said I would and to be apart of something passionate and great. It has been the most hard fought and amazing journey one could embark upon and I am so truly blessed and happy with the success that has come my way thus far and I look forward to learning more and continued success along my journey.

"The future begins with the people who believe in the beauty of their dreams."