There are times when I feel I am in the wrong profession. Not because of writer's block; thankfully, I love the act of writing too much not to have anything to write. The reason is the reaction my writing gets from others. Especially, clients.
Almost everything I thought was good enough was trashed by clients over the last few weeks. Whenever that happens, I ask them what they want, go back to the drawing board, come up with something (mediocre, in my opinion), and they accept it.
Makes me wonder: am I out of sync with the industry? or is my writing that bad?
This 'commercial writing for a living' thing is really funny. Everyone feels they can do it better than me, and I never have a proper response for them. The amount of thinking I put in is never recognized; Clients often ask "Why does he need an hour to write a few lines?" to my colleagues, and I have no answer. Again.
In times like these, I wonder if earning my livelihood in another business might've been a good idea. I could have written in my free time, minus all these worries.
Few days ago, I wrote how the time between coming up with an idea and penning it down excites me. It still does, but I sometimes wonder if it is worth the trouble and anguish I go through the rest of the day.
The answer is yes, for the time being. But I feel the day it turns out to be a 'NO' is not far off.
6/13/2013
Unnecessary alliteration
Some organization had called for a pitch today. Ours was among the agencies who went to present some ideas, and hopefully get the business.
I was working on the presentation for more than a week, adding a point here, removing a verb there whenever I could. I stayed back after everyone left and did something whenever I couldn't.
Finally, I sent the finished work to my boss a few days ago, who made some 'improvements' to it and was to present it with other account guys today. Then I was told that I had to come to the presentation. I agreed reluctantly, the workload and my inability to speak in front of an audience being the chief reasons.
I went, the presentation started, and I came to know what 'improvements' were. The man, in all his wisdom, had added a few slides describing what the problem was. That's all.
It takes a special kind of talent to tell people (who know what's wrong) what their problems are. In detail.
They cut him to the chase. 'Can you please move to the strategy part?' and the big man threw me in the ring by saying 'Of course, let my colleague explain' after a few moments of awkward silence.
I did what I could, and the guys on the other side of the table took my utterances quite seriously. Still, I think we're not going to get it and the whole thing was a big waste of everyone's time. MY time.
I can't understand why people do this. Repeating things everyone knows because they don't feel there's enough material for a conversation.
Maybe they don't feel adequate if they don't contribute in some way. Maybe I am the stupid one who thinks its not OK to talk if I can't add value to the conversation.
And the best part? I got to listen '(y)our strategy was way too generic I think.. they would have heard something like this hundred times already'.
He is in charge of creating those strategies.
I was working on the presentation for more than a week, adding a point here, removing a verb there whenever I could. I stayed back after everyone left and did something whenever I couldn't.
Finally, I sent the finished work to my boss a few days ago, who made some 'improvements' to it and was to present it with other account guys today. Then I was told that I had to come to the presentation. I agreed reluctantly, the workload and my inability to speak in front of an audience being the chief reasons.
I went, the presentation started, and I came to know what 'improvements' were. The man, in all his wisdom, had added a few slides describing what the problem was. That's all.
It takes a special kind of talent to tell people (who know what's wrong) what their problems are. In detail.
They cut him to the chase. 'Can you please move to the strategy part?' and the big man threw me in the ring by saying 'Of course, let my colleague explain' after a few moments of awkward silence.
I did what I could, and the guys on the other side of the table took my utterances quite seriously. Still, I think we're not going to get it and the whole thing was a big waste of everyone's time. MY time.
I can't understand why people do this. Repeating things everyone knows because they don't feel there's enough material for a conversation.
Maybe they don't feel adequate if they don't contribute in some way. Maybe I am the stupid one who thinks its not OK to talk if I can't add value to the conversation.
And the best part? I got to listen '(y)our strategy was way too generic I think.. they would have heard something like this hundred times already'.
He is in charge of creating those strategies.
6/12/2013
A Sense of urgency
There were a few visitors at work today. From an NGO.
Ours is a small office, less than ten of us in all. And we do work fit for at least 25 on a bad day. We have no receptionist.
These NGO girls walked in as if they owned the building. You could detect the smugness in their tone, in the way they asked 'who's in charge here?'
Of late, we are swamped with work. The clients are unyielding and stupid, making our job doubly difficult. We did not pay attention to those kids and carried on with our work.
Someone asked them who they were, and they told that they work for an NGO which helps underprivileged cancer patients.
They went on to add how irresponsible and stonehearted the world is, and why we should donate to their cause.
The way they said it made one of my colleagues lose it. He said, "whatever, madams, but you cant just walk in and ask us to something we don't even know."
The girls, still holding on to their smug attitude, said how patients were dying and they have no time to waste. Felt as if they implied that we were wasting ours.
Our guy: "Whatever it is, you can't just barge in like this! what if I come to your NGO and start talking about some dance party, and imply that you are wasting your time? We are working here, we are busy, and we want to help you - but no one likes being told what to do! Just because your work saves lives and ours doesn't, you can't just think that you are superior to us."
Girls went quiet.
We donated every last rupee we had in our pockets, but I started thinking about the attitude we were subjected to. We ignore it most of the times it happens, but some way or the other, most of us feel we are superior to others in some way and tend to belittle their efforts, lifestyle and choices, even if it is just to ourselves.
And this need to get everything done faster makes us neglect important factors, like concern about others in this case. As far as I know, this holier than thou attitude has brought many a kingdom down.
How can a human being expect to succeed with such an attitude?
Ours is a small office, less than ten of us in all. And we do work fit for at least 25 on a bad day. We have no receptionist.
These NGO girls walked in as if they owned the building. You could detect the smugness in their tone, in the way they asked 'who's in charge here?'
Of late, we are swamped with work. The clients are unyielding and stupid, making our job doubly difficult. We did not pay attention to those kids and carried on with our work.
Someone asked them who they were, and they told that they work for an NGO which helps underprivileged cancer patients.
They went on to add how irresponsible and stonehearted the world is, and why we should donate to their cause.
The way they said it made one of my colleagues lose it. He said, "whatever, madams, but you cant just walk in and ask us to something we don't even know."
The girls, still holding on to their smug attitude, said how patients were dying and they have no time to waste. Felt as if they implied that we were wasting ours.
Our guy: "Whatever it is, you can't just barge in like this! what if I come to your NGO and start talking about some dance party, and imply that you are wasting your time? We are working here, we are busy, and we want to help you - but no one likes being told what to do! Just because your work saves lives and ours doesn't, you can't just think that you are superior to us."
Girls went quiet.
We donated every last rupee we had in our pockets, but I started thinking about the attitude we were subjected to. We ignore it most of the times it happens, but some way or the other, most of us feel we are superior to others in some way and tend to belittle their efforts, lifestyle and choices, even if it is just to ourselves.
And this need to get everything done faster makes us neglect important factors, like concern about others in this case. As far as I know, this holier than thou attitude has brought many a kingdom down.
How can a human being expect to succeed with such an attitude?
6/11/2013
Limitless
would be an apt description for the human ability to do something stupid.As I witnessed today, to do the same stupid stuff over and over again.
After all, one might feel people would understand if someone explains why what they want done is a waste of time and energy.
Even after multiple explanations, we were asked to do the similar changes which deteriorated the quality of the work.
Even after my boss put his foot down, the guy did not relent. Ultimately we let go, just to get it over with - and had to spend an entire workday, plus some more.
And at the end of the day, the guy, now poorer by a considerable sum, asked us to revert to the first cut. The way things were before we started.
His money. Our time and effort. All down the drain. After multiple heartfelt attempts at stopping the mistake.
Perseverance is a good quality. But if it isn't supported by common sense - these kinds of things happen.
On the bright side, I know I can handle shit and not be bothered by it.
It tires me out though.
After all, one might feel people would understand if someone explains why what they want done is a waste of time and energy.
Even after multiple explanations, we were asked to do the similar changes which deteriorated the quality of the work.
Even after my boss put his foot down, the guy did not relent. Ultimately we let go, just to get it over with - and had to spend an entire workday, plus some more.
And at the end of the day, the guy, now poorer by a considerable sum, asked us to revert to the first cut. The way things were before we started.
His money. Our time and effort. All down the drain. After multiple heartfelt attempts at stopping the mistake.
Perseverance is a good quality. But if it isn't supported by common sense - these kinds of things happen.
On the bright side, I know I can handle shit and not be bothered by it.
It tires me out though.
6/10/2013
The need to get recognized
The more I get on facebook, the weirder I feel.
I feel that people on my friends list are enjoying the moment less and chronicling them more.
Well, you may say that they are enjoying so much that they want to share it with me.
Bollocks.
It is more of 'in your face, bitches!', I feel. You know what kind of updates I am talking about.
I guess it is the need for approval from our social circle that makes us do this. We are not sure if we are actually enjoying the moment, and therefore-we post online-gathering likes and supportive comments which make us feel better.
I have a few friends, perfectly happy doing what they love, and I hardly see them doing any posts of that kind.
Don't worry, I am not being a saint here. I log on to facebook for a similar reason: to gain approval about my existence. To make my fellow human beings think that I am, in fact intelligent, witty, and thoughtful. Those kind of reactions are best elicited on twitter or quora, I know, but facebook is where I can reach more people.
And when I am there for a mildly sinister reason, I get annoyed because others are doing the same.
I know, I am slightly screwed up in my head. But I want to fix it, and this is me acknowldging that I have a problem. Actually there are plenty, but I am going to report them as and when I realize what the are - and correct them. (And I can pretend to be thoughtful and intelligent and witty in fron of you guys who care a bit, instead of the world who doesn't give a damn).
Finally, a parting thought: based on a one-man survey (i.e. me), I have come to the conclusion that whatever the opinion you have developed about a person based on her/his online persona - the reality is 9 and a half times worse. at least.
I feel that people on my friends list are enjoying the moment less and chronicling them more.
Well, you may say that they are enjoying so much that they want to share it with me.
Bollocks.
It is more of 'in your face, bitches!', I feel. You know what kind of updates I am talking about.
I guess it is the need for approval from our social circle that makes us do this. We are not sure if we are actually enjoying the moment, and therefore-we post online-gathering likes and supportive comments which make us feel better.
I have a few friends, perfectly happy doing what they love, and I hardly see them doing any posts of that kind.
Don't worry, I am not being a saint here. I log on to facebook for a similar reason: to gain approval about my existence. To make my fellow human beings think that I am, in fact intelligent, witty, and thoughtful. Those kind of reactions are best elicited on twitter or quora, I know, but facebook is where I can reach more people.
And when I am there for a mildly sinister reason, I get annoyed because others are doing the same.
I know, I am slightly screwed up in my head. But I want to fix it, and this is me acknowldging that I have a problem. Actually there are plenty, but I am going to report them as and when I realize what the are - and correct them. (And I can pretend to be thoughtful and intelligent and witty in fron of you guys who care a bit, instead of the world who doesn't give a damn).
Finally, a parting thought: based on a one-man survey (i.e. me), I have come to the conclusion that whatever the opinion you have developed about a person based on her/his online persona - the reality is 9 and a half times worse. at least.
6/09/2013
Living like it's your last day
Bad advice. Tomorrow will come, and you have to deal with all the stupidity you managed today.
It might work if you have a rich parents/uncle/guardian angel who can take care of everything you leave behind, but most of us don't - and yet we repeat this stupid quote as if it is the gold standard to live by.
For us lesser mortals, there's nothing called spontaneous. Well, your friends or significant other might make you feel like it is sometines, but let me clear the air - a lot of planning, time, and effort has gone into the act.
If you want to do something, great. Just consider if it inconveniences others, or your tomorrow, before doing it. vIt won't take a few minutes.
Maybe you can still count it as 'spontaneous'.
It might work if you have a rich parents/uncle/guardian angel who can take care of everything you leave behind, but most of us don't - and yet we repeat this stupid quote as if it is the gold standard to live by.
For us lesser mortals, there's nothing called spontaneous. Well, your friends or significant other might make you feel like it is sometines, but let me clear the air - a lot of planning, time, and effort has gone into the act.
If you want to do something, great. Just consider if it inconveniences others, or your tomorrow, before doing it. vIt won't take a few minutes.
Maybe you can still count it as 'spontaneous'.
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