2023 and all that - it's good to talk

Damn that went fast. It feels like only yesterday I was writing my 2022 review. A few weeks ago my dad tried to explain to me that time may actually be speeding up - I’m not intelligent enough to understand what he was saying, but it certainly feels that way.?

It’s been a funny old year work wise, with GPT smashing through the door like an angry tornado and dominating the conversation in my industry (LinkedIn got more boring than usual for a while). And contrary to some reports, it’s not easy out there - we saw a lot of companies in our world change leadership (don’t get any ideas, team), as well as a few close down which is always difficult to see as you know people who are affected. We’ve been lucky - we have a phenomenal group of very loyal clients and Watch Me Think friends who have embraced the work we do. And around 200 of them turned up to our event on Lies & Lying at Conway hall which was a wonderful day. What it takes in stress, is rewarded in attendance and the joy of hearing so many wonderful speakers. Far too many highlights to mention, but I certainly went away wanting Cole Moreton to be my best friend so I could take him to the pub and just listen to his stories again and again and again. We also took our first step into the world of advertising with the actor from Happy Valley - here and here.?

We’re still independent, which when the market is seeing more M&A than ever, is quite something. It means that after 12 years we still feel young and vibrant (the company does anyway. We have no-one breathing down our necks, and are full of talented, innovative, interesting people - we welcomed lots of new faces this year as we grew (Liz , Mythili, Harry, Jeff, Shawn, James). One of the newer members of the team even told me to ‘grow up’ after a debate about which was the better film - Jaws or The Imitation Game - and that made me think we really have created a place where people can be themselves (I deserved it as well). I genuinely loved that. We also welcomed lots and lots of new clients, all of whom are ace, all of who in these strange times decided to take a punt on a new agency and I’m even more thankful to them - it can feel like a risk, hopefully we’ve proved it isn’t.?

I met lots of amazing people through work this year, chief amongst them Sam Curtis , who is genuinely one of the good guys in the research world (hope the elbow is nearly better sir). I’ve continued to enjoy walks with friends to talk shop, life, the world, everything - James Pickles and Alex Batchelor being my regular strolling pals - both give amazing advice and counsel and are good friends. And regular meetings with Paul Griffiths who is a font of knowledge and strategy when it comes to the research world - he has been super valuable, shaping a number of ideas, and the breakfasts at Nice Buns are an added bonus - I hope to get to walk with him next year, though he might be a bit too fast for me. Graeme Lawrence is another of the good guys of research and whenever I get the chance to sit down and talk shop with him I take it, whether that be in Manchester or London - we've managed it a few times, hoping to increase that next year. My co-founders and I managed to meet up a twice this year - once in Winchester and once in Lincolnshire (if you’re ever there, go to the Jews House restaurant - was my best meal of the year by far) - both involving Solvitur Ambulando and one or two drinks. When one of your co-founders lives in Bury, the other in Brisbane, and our office is in Basingstoke, these occasions are rare, so when they happen, they’re even more special.?

It was also GCSE year for my daughter - I’m super proud of her, for that and for many other reasons - what a difference a year makes. And my boy moved into secondary school - he’s officially old (or it makes me officially old) - and he got to play at Elland Road in a National football tournament which was an amazing experience he will never forget. Again, proud. I’m very lucky.?

I decided to do a stand up comedy course which ended with me doing an actual routine in front of actual people and I’m so glad I did. Whilst pushing me into places I didn’t know existed (mentally), the joy and fear of performing in front of loads of people and them laughing without me having to pay them was a highlight. More here. I learned so much and the support from friends was amazing. I also learned how to fly fish with my pal Gaz Alcott - I had one on the line Gaz, I just didn’t land it, I still think that counts. Next time, next time.

Sport with friends of course featured heavily this year with trips to Nice for the Rugby World Cup (where the picture above is from), to Quins vs. Bath with a good pal who was over from Australia - so good to see him and I wish he was over more. Multiple other rugby games, saw Forest play twice (one win, one loss, which is pretty good for Forest), as well as going to Leeds for the Ashes. What a day that was. Cricket, lovely cricket. We also did our annual hike, this time in Shropshire hiking through the hills all day and then enjoying many local ales (every pub seemed to have a brewery attached to it). And I helped rescue a sheep.?

I read more books in 2023 than I ever have - just over 70 at the last count. That’s what happens when your son discovers Fortnite and your daughter is 17 - more time. And not one was a business book - sorry. Demon Copperhead, The Thorn Birds, and The Bee Sting were probably the top three. Much like Gogglebox, I enjoyed lots of great telly - The Bear, Blue Lights, The Last of Us, Slow Horses, Shrinking, Traitors (Aus version - epic). I also rewatched Studio 60 after Matthew Perry tragically died - a great programme that should have got another series - it's inspired me to write something which may or may not happen in 2024. I apologise in advance - I might need a choir ;-) Spotify says my most listened to artist was R.E.M, my most played song was The Search by NF.?

A few friends have had some major illnesses thrown their way, both physical and mental - battling through all sorts of things - it happens, especially as we all pull into this age bracket when things start breaking - things change, things creep up on you, and it’s important that people know to talk to someone. Always. I’ve been seeing a counsellor for over a year now and they have been phenomenal. It’s not a weakness. It’s good to talk. So if you take anything from this ramble, pick up the phone to someone you haven’t spoken to for a while and see how they’re doing. I must do that with one friend I have lost contact with - I miss them a great deal. I’ve been emailing friends abroad more often which is important - not knowing when I will see them again. But I will see them again.?

Next year it’s my half century which I’m completely fine with - it seems weird that I’m nearly there, but it’s certainly not how old I feel. I’ve decided to keep following some dreams by enrolling in a documentary making course in Jan and Feb. I’m planning to do the Wild Atlantic Way in Ireland, and of course continue to try and squeeze in as many sporting events as possible. But people will take priority.?

Back to work and the big thing I am looking forward to next year (after the 'making a documentary' course I'm doing) is our event on 'Understanding people not like you / You are not your consumer' - I’m finalising the lineup at the moment and I can already tell it’s going to be the best event we’ve done. Mark your diaries - May 16th 2024. London. Of course it’s work, but it’s so relevant to everyday life - we’re not even good at understanding people like us, let alone those unlike us. We should make more time to do it. We’d all be better for it.?

Anyway, I hope 2023 has been good for you - if you've got this far, apologies for going on, apologies to some contacts I probably email too much, apologies to those people I’m not contacting enough. If anyone reads this and fancies a chat, I’m always around.?

It’s good to talk.??