One thing contributing regularly to our blog has taught me is that you can always make time for MORE.
I squeeze out my posts at 5 in the morning when you’re still riding the pony. The 5 o’clock slot was always there waiting to be filled with more. Who knew.
Once at the office, I watch my admirable comrades toil through their enormous current workloads like boxers going about a 12-rounder, parceling their energy out in focused bursts, with small breaks to regroup, before letting the hands fly again.
What stops the creative energy from drying up? How do you keep the work great when there’s so little time to do it?
> Experience. Returning to the boxing metaphor, you wouldn’t expect a novice to be able to handle 12 three-minute rounds, which is why they start them off in the amateurs with 3 or 5 two-minute rounds.
In our business it’s the same. These people know what they’re doing and the best way I can help is to steer clear.
> Stubbornness. When the pot boils over here, which it sometimes does, it’s not because there is too much work on in too short a time. It’s because those conditions make it challenging to hit the standard we know we’re capable of. We’ve got a bunch of bloody-minded people here, thank god.
> Beer. When our Tartan Group partners start wheeling the antique
wagon around on late Friday afternoon, laden with our favourite local brews, the tension lifts for a moment, the deadlines seem not quite so tight, the pressure on the mouse eases up.
You need all three to be really good when you’re really busy. Cheers.
PS. Chuvalo poster by Michael Tension.
Brand Intervention 
Nice post Doug. Of course, I enjoyed the boxing metaphor and learned a thing or two in the process. Namely, I need more beer.
Sandy maybe you could stock a beer that’s brewed specifically for boxers. Don’t know any off-hand, but this one from Singapore is probably close enough. http://neilfrench.com/xobeer/slide/9.html
ooh – classy.
Oh, that one not working for ya? Try this one. It actually IS a boxer’s beer. http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/boxer_beer_extra_strong
Doug- I agree with you on the early morning routine, probably before everyone else gets into the office! It’s a great time to get your stuff sorted out first. Thanks for the post, and hope you had a great time at then networking event!
Thanks for the comment. Luckily there aren’t too many Copeland or Tartan people at my home at 5 in the morning. I find that every year I start working a half hour earlier. I wonder where it will all lead…
Doug, really enjoyed this post and I find the earlier mornings are always my most productive.
Hey thanks for saying so Corey. I was up at 4 today, going over radio spots. It was easy to wake up and the coffee was amazing. What’s wrong with me?