When small things make you fell and think big

I bet all of you felt great when achieving things in your life that you've longed for. Those tiny gestures or behaviors that may have no meaning for some people, yet a tremendous one on others. Yeap, I'm talking about those aspects of life that make you feel you're sitting on the top of the world even for a short time. 

Today I felt that my life as a normal person, as a friend, as a professional, or, even, as a common passing by individual, got a well deserved boost. And what I mean by this is that I finally got my E.U. trainer's degree. This means much more than words could explain. It's another mean of expressing my passion for advertising and the creative industry. It's a new chance of extending the building process of my dream as a constantly growing professional and, last, but not least, it's a chance of showing how proud I am being part of this work field, a way of giving back some knowledge to those who choose or have already chosen the path I, a few years ago, took. 

Today's exam was hard, serious and extremely rewarding. It all began with a written knowledge test which "took" us through each and every chapter of the last week's training. But, the really fun, yet hard part was the presentation part : team training simulation on a team-chosen topic. We had to present in front of a specialized jury a training session. The topic our team chose were build upon planning and creative strategies (objectives, training methods, creative strategies, achieved skills, exercises, role plays, case studies and evaluations). It all took 2 hours. Some of the best 2 hours of my life I might say. 

This was another worthy example that sums up the mantra I always "preach" on behalf on my passion : just enjoy thinking. Today, during those 2 hours, I did that on a high level. See ya out in the wild ;)

Trippin' through thoughts

Every once in a while I bump into those vocabulary words that try to illustrate the business world. While passing on the street or waiting in a coffee shop for the waiter to milk a cow and bring it to the table along with the espresso, I keep hearing these buzz-words : corporate this, corporate that, f..k corporate, hail corporate. I still don't know what's so special about this word, or is it already a lovemark and I keep swimming into the ocean of ignorance I dive in from time to time ? Is it me, or does this seem like a friendly arcade flipper game ? Everywhere you turn, everyone you meet, how you breathe, how you think and how you feel, is somehow related to this word. Is this becoming the shadow of this nation perhaps ? Hell no, I don't want another identity. Now you might say, what's this idiot thinking ? He's an active creative freelancer, he runs a small business...he is part of the corporate environment and he says this word does not define him. Well, for those of you who will say that, I have to state that this word is not an alter-ego. It's another reason to be ironic, it's another reason to split doing / making stuff with passion, from having to do / make things with "passion" (and for this quotation please feel free to find matching words). 

Well, the reason I'm writing today about this "corporate" word, is due to Radu Afrim's play "Jocul de-a vacanta" and a particular song that keeps popping into my head every single time I hear the word "corporate". According to my fellow psychologists this could be translated as a Pavlovian reflex. But why this connection ? I guess it's caused by the extremely well chosen song lyrics that in an acid symmetry howl : "vivat corporatia". Every single time I hear this, somehow, communist targeted anthem, I realize the reason why "corporate geniuses" like Richard Branson or Steve Jobs created brands like Virgin or Apple, and were not born under the protective communist wings, they were not fed iodine pills after the Csernobil incidents and so on. I really wonder if in a normal, hard working, non-paranoid society, our people (understand it as you like) would have been able to come up with the true meaning of the word "corporate". Even if I will not kill my dream to remain in the advertising industry, for sure I won't be carrying a "corporate" badge tied to my Jaguar car key. What are the odds of seeing me carry a "The 4Th Floor" or "Just Enjoy Thinking" badge tied to my Mr. Bean vintage Morris edition car key ?  I would be honored to read some comments from you sometime and also on Radu Afrim's song which I invite you to digest while getting ready for a new day at the office :) Just enjoy thinking, as I always say 

Miracles may happen from time to time

Starting my new way as a freelance creative a while ago made me realize the infinite possibilities the world offered. I was trained as a "team spirit" individual. I cared and got involved in every team I've been part of since I joined the advertising industry. 

I've often been asked in the past year how do I manage working without a team, how can I do everything by myself. Errrr...wrong. Being a freelancer does not mean being alone in the creative process. My perspective on this matter is rather large, than narrow. I like to think that my team or the team I'm part of could be anyone from this world... and I'm honored of working with such a team. The only condition : passion. 

I managed to meet and work with exceptional people since I've started being a freelancer. Exceptional passionate people together with whom we've accomplished big things sustained by big ideas. 

A while ago I met Catalin from Davidsign for a coffee and chat. He's an experienced graphic and interior designer. The first meeting was also, on my behalf, the decisive meeting. Long talk, great laughs. Passion for quality services and high standard working process met at the same table. 

In the past week we've managed together as a team to put up a great concept and presentation for a major pitch. Yesterday we presented the concept in front of the client. No matter what the pitch decision will be, I'm really proud of being part again of a great small team amongst which I have to mention Istvan and Cristi.

So far so good, I, personally, enjoy thinking all day long as a team member, as a freelancer, as a common being, as a friend, even as a competitor in this uncertain "branding life" experience.