Good morning, Thursday. I have lots to do today but all I can think about is Steve Jobs, and the amazing gift he gave to all of us through his products, energy, fearlessness, and genius.
I don't think one of my Facebook friends missed the opportunity to eulogize for his passing last night. It was a huge testament to his impact on all of us. If you grew up with his products, then you were surely affected by the news. I found myself feeling the same way about the death of Michael Jackson- both men changed (pop) culture forever and it seemed like they would live forever.
I wanted to share a Mac tale from my own family, and it revolves around my 13 year old nephew, Jake. Jake has been a Mac fan for years already, he's a super fan and has saved birthday money, allowance, and anything else to buy himself an I Pad when it first came out, and now that he has just recently had his bar mitzvah, the only thing he wanted was a Macbook Pro. Now before you think this is the mark of a spoiled kid, I have to tell you that Jake is not the type to ask for much- he's not the bratty type, but he falls into the camp of "think different". He does his own thing, and perhaps that's what Steve Jobs's legacy is, and why his products speak to so many- they represent something different, something cooler, something practical yet innovative and not cookie cutter in terms of design. And to be able to instill brand loyalty in a 13 year old is no small feat. That's the power of Steve. That and I don't geek out for techy stuff in general, but when it come to Macs, it's on. I can't get enough.
I also could not help but think of our current revolt against bullying- and how kids are picked on when they're perceived as "diferent". The bullies of the world should think twice before picking on these types, because one day these different kids will most likely change the world. I remember feeling different as a young person- I always rebelled against the mainstream, wore clothes that nobody else wore, and talked about things people my age did not talk about. (Trust me, I'm not in any way comparing myself to Steve Jobs, but bare with me). As a kid, that can feel totally alienating and scary, almost shameful that you're not the cheerleader or the football player or the prom queen or king. But as you get older and find your place and realize that maybe this ability to think different can lead to big ideas, to a relentless inability to not settle for anything less than what you believe in, and to engage with people that are way more interesting than that former prom king or queen could ever be, you learn to love being different. And then maybe you get paid for it.
I have often gotten in trouble for voicing my views and my inability to play in the sandbox with people that are mediocre or care not to make great things has caused me some stress in my career. I don't suffer the settle well. At all. And I've always strived to work with people and on my projects with people that share my respect for thinking different and relentlessly pursuing the best way.
As we prepare to move to New York, the old fears creep in a bit of how we will make ends meet, what we will sacrifice to live there, and how we will cope with the madness all over again. But to me, New York represents a place where people don't settle- sure they settle on apartments that are too small for their lives, but it's all in the interest of a higher power- working with the best people, and embracing those that are different, because being different in New York is, well, normal. It's a place where the mad ones are free to be mad, and not being mad is just boring.
Steve Jobs was fearless, a quality that is not part of my Jewish DNA but I am working hard to get there. The fear of the unknown is a real fear, but how can we really be afraid of it when we don't even know what is coming? No point in that, really. And it's probably true that I will not change the world like SJ did, but I can change myself, and I hope to channel some of his incredible will as I embark on the next phase of my life. And is it any coincidence that Macs (Apples) and New York (the Big Apple) are two of my favorite things? Is there a tattoo in my future? And who among us in advertising did not want to be in it because of all of those amazing campaigns?
I leave you with this, especially for my young friends who are at the beginning of my career or maybe some older friends who are looking for some fuel because they're a bit beat down- never settle. Never be afraid to think different. Never work with people or on projects you don't believe in. Try and find the love in what you do, and if it's not there, run. Go forth and be mad. I will so miss Steve Jobs and his ability to change the world with every new launch and iconic commercial. He inspired millions, and allowed us to create in new ways. I pray that tomorrow's Steve Jobs types can persevere the stress of feeling different at a young age and realize their unique abilities to make the world a much better, and cooler place.
Cause that's what's up this remembering Steve kind of Thursday in the MIA. Thank you, Steve. You definitely impacted my life, and the lives of countless others. XO