Creative agencies are fast-moving businesses.
There’s always a job or problem shouting for attention.
Usually client demands.
And because agencies are full of people who have a lot of energy things move quickly.
Sometimes too quickly.
The instant reaction is to create an action. Whether feeding in the feedback to creative straight away, organising a meeting with everyone involved, even escalating to senior leadership.
When often if you take a minute to pull back and think through things you’ll realise that you didn’t need to do any of that.
That the answer is obvious or at least easily solved without any panic.
It just takes that purpose of mind to remember to stop and think about the next steps. What will actually help to set a clear course.
At one point I considered making a physical agency tool. Giving everyone a 60 second egg timer and a little notepad. Set the timer going when a new request or problem pops up and use that time to just think it through.
It can be even better to speak to a colleague. In one sentence explain your next steps, they’ll often pull up a possible issue.
I’ve often said the difference between juniors and seniors can be as simple as spotting the problem ahead of time. Juniors can often start work and not realise they are on the wrong path till it’s too late. Seniors will often spot the problem before they set off down the path, somewhat through experience but also taking a little time to think ahead, not succumbing to the rush of instant energy to get going.
Take a minute. Save hours.
