In marketing, I’m what they call a “brand loyalist”, a consumer that commits to preferred brands over time. But…I’m a bad one.
I have this ongoing fallacy in my mind that thinks, “Surely this brand is the best, look at how amazing their products are! This brand totally fits my image and personality, and I will only purchase from them going forward.” My hope is that people will begin to relate that brand/style with myself, like Steve Jobs’ minimalist wardrobe, George Clooney’s suits, and so on. It seems like everyone has his or her thing, except me.
Living in the Present
I bounce around from brand to brand, style to style, hobby to hobby in hopes of finding something that will stick, but nothing does. I guess at the end of the day, am I an anti brand loyalist? However, the benefits gained from having so many broad experiences in different categories are quite many! And while I am still searching for the perfect something I can tattoo on my chest (not literal), I am happy at the end of the day.
Here’s why:
- I may not be great at one thing, but I am decent at many things.
- It’s easier to start conversations with people and develop relationships, always having something to relate to.
- It’s difficult to get bored.
- I can adapt to many different situations.
Those are just a few things I try to remind myself when I am not feeling original or creative. If we are always looking to the future, judging others and ourselves, we back ourselves into a corner. Embrace the freedom that comes with each day, and the ability to work hard and be who you want to be in that moment.
Never Say Never
On the side, I am a passionate leatherworker who loves to make wallets and cardholders. Out of all my hobbies, it has been the one that has stuck with me the longest. When I first started out, I had my ideal style and leather in mind, and everything else was judged at a lower level.
Just last week, I had seen a fellow’s stitching that, at the time, seemed pretty barbaric. Now, this week I am laughing to myself because I used the same technique. I understand now his method was to put the prime emphasis on the leather he had acquired and functionality over luxury stitching. It’s not a look for everyone, but many people do like it.
The point there is that I was wrong for judging the method before I understood it. In due time, everything comes full circle. Things I did in the beginning of my craft, I am doing all over again, even though I said I never would. However, I am doing them now with additional skill, experience, and appreciation. It’s a valuable lesson to learn.
Romans 2:1 says, “You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgement on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgement do the same things.”
Ideas Going Forward
So, just because you may or may not affiliate yourself with a particular something today, may not be feeling original or creative, or keep finding yourself passing judgment on others (however small it may be), remind yourself every day that a strong feeling in one direction will most likely lean in the other direction in due time.
To avoid that feeling of embarrassment and guilt, try to look at each experience with appreciation in that moment. Kindness in your heart, meditation in your mind, and appreciation in your soul will allow you to benefit tenfold from every experience.
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