So, I get an alarming call related to the "weening and winning" project late yesterday. The superboss had been influenced by some "new" information from other sources. His concern was geared toward the costs associated to the resources need to take on the project. The discussion quickly led to the need to discuss further but was left with the understanding that the project was dead. And so a call was set for 2pm today. Thank you Papa for allowing the time to download your will into my very small brain.
Instead of a jump drive, He chose one unlikely fellow, the unassuming pitchman and a tiny-little, redheaded prophet to do His bidding. The Supreme Multi-tasker also went ahead and gave me a shot at reciprocating with the unlikely fellow in our little chat.
In that span of time, I complained about the sources who were against us. I played the victim, whining "there is so little value and even less understanding of the creative work and process." I asked my pitchman how he would respond. And I finally let go. The prophet prayed, Mr. Unlikley pontificated and Pitchman delivered with unthinkable wisdom.
So this morning, my God let me sleep in. I got to work around 7 leaving an hour before my first meeting coincidentally (or not) to work the internal strategy with our budding associate creative director. The hour was used by God to organize my thoughts into a talk sheet. The subsequent hours were used to define that internal strategy. With my Papa walking in front of me I headed to the room for our call...
Superboss, Mr. Unlikely and me began with Mr. Unlikely spilling his soda. Followed by the summary from Superboss ending with the question "why now?". I answered with "This call may be very short. The proposal stems from the request from previous superboss to provide an internal solution. We can wait until next year to do it." Superboss responded with a review of financials then and now and asked "Are we trying to get side by side learning, agency versus internal?"
"Well, we would not be getting a comparison as the agency is delivering one catalog for customer P while the internal would deliver a catalog for customer G." I answered. Ahhhh, a new understanding emerged and the questions kept coming. Mr. Unlikely explained on his bit and I on mine. With each question God provided a way. A way to inform versus whine, a way to explain versus complain and a door to understand without asking.
After a few math exercises, a short look at the year ahead and a brief assessment of the current team - a tentative decision was announced to permanently hire the four resources. The review of the decision would be discussed with Pitchman (currently on vacation) and the Source to confirm. Clearly, the organization is not in a place of adding peeps, in fact we have had to go the opposite direction. So this addition is precarious at the least. It is balanced by the need to get the learning from these catalogs/communications to our customers. I will find out tomorrow whether the decision is final.
So here I sit in awe of God...again. He told me these things over the past two weeks:
1. Get informed, slow down and wait to make decisions until you are fully informed.
2. Only MY plans are worth it and only MY plans work. No attempt of the enemy will win.
Check. Check. Copy that. Roger.Roger.
My wise Pitchman said just before he went on vacation "Humility is a great place to be. Honor God and use each gift to glorify Him." After the events of the day I have decided to take on one of my weird fasts. Usually I fast from Starbucks and my purpose is to hear God. Everytime I want a Starbucks, I turn my mind to Him. Today, I've decided that one of the ways I will honor and glorify Him is by sacrificing my time. Dedicating my time to praising him through these words I write. And so for the duration of this project. I dedicate these stolen moments to Him.
Good thing no one is here to read this little saga - it may get boring. But for my God, I will make the time to document His great work.
New Disclaimer: I am going to post even though I would prefer to edit for readability, style and understanding.
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