By Simon Halstead, Founder of Halstead Incubation Partners and NDA Columnist
This article is inspired by a conversation with a friend – who is finding the pace of digital and programmatic unrelenting and struggling to know it all – and the challenges and stresses that it places on all in the industry. And it isn’t just our industry – speaking to some other friends who are stretched and stressed by the fire hose of information that flows. I’ve also had a couple of friends impacted with medical conditions recently – and it brings into sharp focus issues around striking a good work/life balance.
So here is a simple and reassuring position.
It’s impossible to know it all – (unless you are Ari Paparo), it’s exhausting trying to know it all, and we must remember to work to live, not live to work.
We just saw a classic trigger moment – with the Google announcement of moving away from a forced end to third-party cookie removal – to a user lead choice. This throws up questions of whether we should continue to invest in alternative strategies, what is the change going to look like and where should I focus resources now.
One of the most important things to do in finding balance is to breathe and step away. This can be as short as a walk round the block, to a more structured and considered review. In the case of Google and Chrome, we need more information before making informed decisions – and seeing the responses from the CMA etc. So we can reduce the tension at this moment, before making considered choices – here are my longer thoughts on Google
As a consultant, I feel the pressure to know everything and be able to answer all questions – but it simply isn’t possible. I try to be clear with clients where I know and have insights – and where I will be learning with them, but applying my skill set to get the knowledge to an actionable point quicker. I also bring the structured approach to gain insight and to talk to the relative experts and build needed connections in fields.
My advice: (if it helps to make it all bearable)
Self-care
Take a break – even if you aren’t able to take a holiday – take a break from screens and the routine of your role or job search. A couple of days or a week – will allow you to refresh and come back with fresh eyes to your approach
When you’re on your break – take a screen break. Leave the phone behind – recharge. Put on your ‘out of office’ and try to respect it. Balance this with the tension of not checking, sure, but leaving it alone is worthwhile.
Take time outside. Walk the hills, sit in a coffee shop or pub. Watch the world go by for 15 minutes
Spend time with those you love, or doing something you love that isn’t work.
Stay active
Self Improvement
Curate your knowledge:
Build a pool of resources that keep you up to date – there are so many good resources available – from the newsletters from UofDigital – Shiv Gupta and Myles Youner – to the powerhouse of Marketecture and Ari Paparo – newsletters and podcasts – to the more localised insights like Paul Gubbins just launched CTV podcast, and of course the excellent podcasts from Andy, Tyrone and Justin from New Digital Age.
Decide whether you are specialising in an area, or being a conduit to experts in individual areas
Be humble about where you don’t know – and seek connection and conversation with people that can grow your knowledge base. Be brave in admitting what you don’t know!
Know your line in the sand
Ultimately though – be prepared to step away for good. Health and Happiness outweigh any role or status. Shifting industry and downsizing scope are totally good and valid choices. I recently had a call with a friend who was thinking of quitting a role without something to go to, and my natural response would have been to counsel caution – but listening to their mental state, and readiness to change roles it became obvious that this was the right move, and my friend needed support in making that decision. They had reached the line.
Final notes:
I originally wrote 95% of this article before my own summer break – but I wanted to live out the message here. I could have rushed to finish it, adding stress before I left ( and packed) but actually, I recognised this wasn’t urgent enough for this stress (Sorry NDA team) and so left it for my return.
I did however take large parts of my own advice. I disconnected from email (checked every 3 days) and only did some urgent invoicing on the break. Instead, I swam and read and had family time. I come back to my to-do list refreshed, and with the energy to kick on. I have a few podcasts to catch up on!
