Okay, some of the color/contrast relationships on these edges are delighting me. Happy accidents! This is gorgeous.

My best guess is that this usually comes from confusion about what everyone's role is in the process and pressure to seem Valuable as an executive or producer. Bad leadership manifests in a lot of ugly ways. People shouldn't have to give goofy notes just to be seen as Productive.

I've definitely experienced the Office Politics Situations, in which people are trying to either 1) Seem useful or 2) Push the specialists out...but that's not the broader issue.

I truly haven't figured it out. Why be so heavily involved in something you don't think is important? Why trigger so many revisions and take up a ton of time, if the work isn't worth Money? There's something in there about finding art/design/animation Fun and Flashy, but I stay confused.

I'm sure you don't want me changing shots or sound design on you. That would be disrespectful, create work for you, + cause a lot of finishing problems, right? Same thing. Don't touch the graphics.*

*Exceptions for well-handled temping in overtime, as a placeholder, if the gfx pro is notified ASAP.

If it should have looked Like That, I would have made it that way. You have none of the information needed to design my work better than I do, and your version can't deliver. If you need something, I want to help you.

My current work life certainly isn't perfect. I worked 12+hr/day every day last week, and I'd rather have enjoyed the pool with my family WITHOUT a laptop in front of me. Still, there is a massive difference between where I started at an agency and where I am currently, freelancing. I'm grateful.

HOLD HER. 😂 You must! She's just a baby chicken nugget! A sweet little baby princess! There are no other responsibilities!

A living legend. An icon. A star.

I'll never regret prioritizing my ability to look in the mirror at the end of the day and love the person looking back at me. I'm proud of her. She's honest, skilled, hard-working, and kind. I've passed up some "success" in favor of standing by my values and doing the RIGHT thing. I'm proud of that!

If you work in creative advertising in any capacity, I think it's CRITICAL to separate your self worth and satisfaction from the work itself. Your best ideas will almost never see the light of day. Do your best—sure—but the end product isn't entirely in your control. It's not about You.

What result am I most proud of? It's how I've helped juniors become MVPs. It's the difference I made on an individual level, when a client demanded 5 TV spots full of integrated gfx in 1 night. It's how I helped others survive abusive leaders, without taking the mistreatment to heart.

My work has secured new business, saved projects, improved production, won awards...but that's not what I'm most proud of. Rescuing trailers? Saving tens of thousands of dollars in a couple days? That's not it. It's what matters to shot-callers when hiring, but it's NOT what I'm most proud of.

It's easy to downplay your skills once they become easy/normal to you. Pleeease stop and adjust your perspective. Your skills are valuable and unique. The You of 5-10yr ago would have been AMAZED by the current You. It's OK to look to the future while appreciating all you accomplished in the past.