Good morning, Thursday. Gorgeous day.
I realize that my recent writing may make me sound like I don't value young people and that's the furthest thing from the truth. I love working with young people-there are challenges for sure but there are challenges with everything so that's a moot point. We all love to hate on millennials, but generalizing a whole group of young people for their work habits or lack thereof is just silly. I love being around young people- they inspire me.
And my takeaway from all these years of experience is this- once you realize it's time to move on, passing the torch is a wonderful thing to do. I have always been a connector, my entire life. I think that's what I loved most about producing, because it sure wasn't the panicky calls about FedEx shipments gone missing or a wardrobe stylist who "just doesn't get it". What I loved was putting great people together, and knowing who the kindred spirits were that would make something great together. It's so much fun to do that. It never, ever felt like work to me. Plus, New Yorkers like to be know-it-alls- we revel in knowing the best of the best and the hidden gems as yet to be discovered.
I bring this up because recently, I met an amazing young woman who happened to be registered on rover.com, a pet walking and sitting service. I was looking for someone to watch Khan and I came across her profile and immediately felt like she'd be perfect to watch our little guy. When she came to my house we got to talking and turns out she's been a writer for a minute, and really loves comedy writing. After a few more times watching Khan, we got to talking about advertising, and how she was interested in copywriting. If you've spent time in ad land, you can immediately tell who would be a good fit. And I knew this woman would be fantastic. I mean- who shows up to coffee in New York City with a grin and a tennis racket in the middle of winter? Just enough quirk. In an Annie Hall kind of way. Love her.
So I quickly got to introducing her to some people I thought she should know. And as luck would have it, she landed her first gig. With someone I think is one of the best creatives out there. I am so excited for her I want to burst.
Throughout my career, I have made many introductions- some lead to nada and some start people on their path. I have never sought to do this for money, ps. I tried being a photo agent. It didn't work for me. I just like to do it because it's my beshert, or inevitability in Yiddish. It's something I will never stop doing regardless of where I am in my career or what I'm doing. Because it feels like the right thing to do. And I'm eternally grateful to all the amazing people I have worked with that inspire these introductions. Lucky me.
I have a great friend who is one of the best connectors I know. She throws amazing dinner parties where she puts the best people who need to know each other together, and she does it with so much ease. Recently I attended a dinner of hers with some CEO lady bosses (and wondered why I was in the room) and you know what? I got a potential great gig out of it. Amazingly powerful stuff, this connecting.
Good things come back to you when you do good things. I know this to be true. I've been close to broke many times and it's in those times I tend to donate money to favorite causes, and give a dollar or two or five to a person in need. I do this because it's right- and that there's always someone or something that needs help more than I do. I'm not looking for praise here mind you- I'm just telling you that helping people and connecting people is a cause very close to my heart. And if you ever need me, I'm here.
And if you like this post or anything else I've written of late, do me a favor and share it. Let's keep the good vibes going and keep connecting. It's one of life's simple joys and it means so very much.
Cause that's what's up this paying it forward kind of Thursday in the 718. Yours, in connecting the dots. XO