How Sidewalk Chalk Helped Change My Perspective

Where do I begin?

That's the first question -- one of many -- that I have going through my head right now. And I'm sure you do too.

And like you, I'm being hit with a ton of great articles and posts here on LinkedIn. From tips to connecting with coworkers virtually, to best practices in marketing* during a time of crisis, to tips that help keep your mind and body active. So to that last one, I've been trying to make an effort to go on more walks around the neighborhood.

The remainder of this "article" is an honest account of my walk yesterday.

Trust and transparency are not marketing buzzwords.

For anyone that knows me, you know I cannot stand marketing buzzwords. And nothing is more important to me than the relationships I have. (It's in my "title" here on LinkedIn.) I am nothing without others... nothing without you. This goes for family, friends and colleagues. Every single person that enters my life helps shape who I am and how much I can give back. And that's just it -- a relationship is a two-way street that comes with trust, transparency and a constant commitment to communicate. That's not marketing... that's being human. These are human terms. And nothing "buzz" about them.

"So Carpenter, where is this going?"

I'm getting there, I promise. Stick with me.

The week of March 9th, we knew the inevitable was coming -- a time in which we were going to need to slow down and begin distancing from one another. Being the social creature I am, this meant no more coffee dates... no more lunch dates... no more visits to the studio... no more AIMA, AMA, Atlanta Ad Club, Social Media Club or IABC events... etc. For many of you, that means no more pics and posts. So consider yourself lucky.

But for me and the many, many people I love seeing, this is so disheartening. But I know this is the right thing for all of us. (Fact: I actually canceled a happy hour that week because I did not want to contribute to the problem. And it gutted me. But life will go on.)

Or will it?

Of course, life will go on. But let me get back to my walk.

Here in Atlanta, the weekend weather was about as spectacular as I've ever seen it. Temps were perfect and the humidity we all love (sarcasm) was really low. Cool breezes and nights filled on the back deck. Grill fired up. The smell of charcoal. And really good wine (and company with my wife).

Sunday was a little different. The clouds were rolling in and temps were definitely cooling down. But it was perfect for a nice, long walk. So I plugged in the AirPods, connected to Spotify and hit the road. Everything felt amazing.

And then it hit me... about halfway through my walk.

WTF am I going to do?

Yeah. There it is. This overwhelming wave of emotion hit me -- feelings of confusion, disbelief and sadness. So many emotions, with most of them directed towards work, my love of restaurants and the service industry and my immediate family.

How can I connect with our clients? How can I be that trusted advisor for their content needs? Wait, what about our friends in the restaurant business (they are being decimated right now)? If I don't have clients, then how am I going to provide for my family? What happens if one of us gets sick? Wait. What happens when our chef friends and their staff gets sick? (I donated to The Giving Kitchen + bought gift cards and food from a couple of our favorite spots.)

See how the questions went from "work", to "friends" to "family" and back again? Well, I'm not done.

You see, earlier that day we had learned of a loved one who was directly impacted by the virus -- testing positive and on his way to the hospital. Wife & kids unable to be with him, as he began a miserable experience.

So needless to say, as the wave of emotions narrowed in on family and the sense of helplessness, I lost it. That's when I literally had to stop, lock my hands to the back of my head and squat down. Tears filling my eyes. (And I'm OK telling you this. Being vulnerable is being human.)

Get it together, Paul.

Shortly after that, as if it were a script, I started noticing things -- the little things.

A lone jogger. We exchanged waves.

A woman playing with her Australian Shepherd puppy. We exchanged waves.

A couple walking. We also exchanged waves.

Flowers popping. I did not exchange waves with them. That would be weird.

Could all of this be a calling to get back to more humanity... more "stop-and-smell-the-roses" (or pansies) moments... more moments of kindness... more trust & transparency? I believe it can be.

More Little Things, Please.

The second half of my walk was filled with more moments of positivity. While still very dire, I was proud to see some places in our hood getting resourceful -- curbside service for takeout, as an example.

Restaurants are the cornerstone of our communities. They are the place we gather, laugh, break bread, fill our bellies, meet new people -- you know, all the things that make us human. And while my heart hurts for them, I know they will come roaring back. No one is more resilient than the service industry. And I will be there when their doors open again.

Just when I thought I was done.

Feeling better, after seeing some examples of resourcefulness, I started my walk back home. Less worried about exercise at this point and more focused on a leisurely stroll, more examples of the little things. It was if someone was playing a trick on me. Am I really reading this correctly? Of all places I decided to walk? Of all the feelings I had on my simple stroll? WTH? (And not "work from home".) Can you see it?

And right above this? A Cherry Blossom.

For those that know me, this is also something I have on my arm (and for good reason). The meaning of the Cherry Blossom? Humility. Hope. A sign of springtime and youth. But it's also a reminder to live in the present, as even the most beautiful things in life pass on. But in time, they will come back.

And just like that... I had faith. Not a religious faith. But faith that we will all get through this and come back more beautiful than ever.

Smile Today.

P.S. I am readily available for anyone who wants to call, video conference, text, email, social commenting, etc... whatever it takes for us to be human and carryon. Let me know how I can help you. Open for business. Open for people.

Email: [email protected] | IG: @jpceasyas123 | Mobile: 404-663-1278 | https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/paulcarpentermarketer/

Bonus Round:

(*Spoiler Alert -- Stop sending emails that are tone-deaf. Your consumer may be concerned where their next meal may come from. Instead, provide them an outlet to share their experience with your brand... user-generated content... use your social media platforms to "listen"... give them helpful 'how-to' videos to help them get through quarantine... show them how your brand is getting involved in philanthropic efforts... etc. These will all surpass any short-term revenue efforts. It's a marathon. Peace, humans.)