Being Good Is No Good, You Have To Be Very, Very, Very Good. Lessons From David Ogilvy
This newsletter will cover the 8 habits that will improve your creative work...
Happy New Week Everyone,
I hope you all got a chance to enjoy the lovely weather this weekend.
One of my favourite quotes is that “success leaves clues”. I have been opening myself to the wisdom and lessons of those who have gone before me. Whilst researching, learning, and growing my understanding of the marketing and advertising industry, I came across the Father of Advertising, David Ogilvy. Ogilvy is an advertising legend, he’s largely known for his advertising work through his agency Ogilvy & Mather. He’s helped create hugely successful campaigns for clients such as Dove, Shell, and Rolls Royce.
Ogilvy’s book, “The Eternal Pursuit of Unhappiness” is a business and philosophy handbook given to all Ogilvy & Mather employees. The book outlines eight habits of an organisation where creativity is the main focus. These eight habits are not just applicable to the workplace, but to life in general.
1. Courage- Ideas need to be protected. We need to have a spine to protect our ideas, it's only by standing up for what we believe that we can begin to build trust. In the absence of courage, nothing worthwhile can be accomplished.
2. Idealism- The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do. David Ogilvy said, “raise your sights, blaze new trails, and compete with the immortals.” We should dream humongous dreams and go out and build them. Don’t be afraid to dream big, nothing is impossible.
3. Curiosity- It is only in the open state of curiosity that we can explore and dream. To stay curious we have to ask lots of questions as a child does. Being curious has played a huge part in my development, it’s motivated me to speak to and learn from new people, expand my view on the world, and become knowledgeable in a variety of topics.
4. Playfulness- Pablo Picasso said we are all born children and the trick is to remain one. All our art, all our science, and all our philosophy have been invented by playful people, not serious people. Don't take life too seriously, nobody gets out alive anyway.
5. Candour- Our job requires us to be brutally honest and totally dedicated to the truth. If someone asks for our opinion and we don't offer it our answer is not only dishonest but worthless. It’s very easy to avoid the truth and be nice but we have to keep it real with ourselves and others to fully grow.
6. Intuition- 95% of our brain is subconscious, we are wiser than we think. Intuition is listening to our inside voice and letting that guide us. Always follow your intuition, it's in you not on you.
7. Free spirit- Rule no1 there are no rules, rule no2 never forget rule no1. Bureaucracy has no place in a free-spirited idea-centric company. There’s no hierarchy with creativity, good ideas are good ideas.
8. Persistence- Persistence and extreme determination is often the only trait that separates a moderately creative person from a highly creative one. Never give in. Keep pushing even when it’s uncomfortable, this is how our best ideas are formed, through the continuous back and forth.
We are what we repeatedly do. Being good is no good, you have to be very, very, very, good.
I hope this was a great help to anyone who is a creative person looking for habits to help them become their best self or anyone who is trying to cultivate a great creative working culture. Remember, we are what we repeatedly do, therefore excellence is not an act but a habit.
Have a great week everyone!