TAKE THIS JOB...

When I was a kid, my dad would tell me dreams were simply unfinished thoughts from the previous day.

I haven’t heard a better theory.

Those who toil in a creative field know that many of the day’s thoughts involve brainstorming around a particular business or client problem. That brainstorming is rarely relegated to normal business hours.

It happens during a commute. In the shower. On the treadmill. While walking the dog. And, yes, for me, as I sleep. Really. I brainstorm in my dreams. A lot.?

This morning, for example, I woke up in the midst of a brainstorm dream around recruiting.? Pops was right: I had spent the previous day putting the finishing touches on job descriptions for some new open positions at Fast Horse.? How to get out the word that we’re hiring?? Nothing brilliant had come to mind as I kicked around some tactics for cutting through the job board clutter.? As a result, clearly my brain was still working on the problem long after the rest of my body checked out for the day.

So, what brilliant idea came to me in my sleep? It’s an all-timer:

Get Johnny Paycheck to remake his famous anthem “Take This Job and Shove It,” which, as the title implies, explores the oft-fantasized notion of flipping the bird to your employer and walking out the door.

Stay with me here. As my REM-fueled idea had it, Paycheck had found a gig at Fast Horse that suited him perfectly and had changed his tune. Literally. “Take This Job and LOVE It” would be his newly recorded TikTok anthem. Genius! It’ll get millions of views!? We’ll have thousands of applicants.

Woof, I thought when I woke up mid-brainstorm. So bad.?

In fact, so putrid that I shared it with a colleague when I got to the office. We had a good laugh at the godawfulness of this dream-soaked bit of inspiration. And then, as good creatives do, he took it even further. Right to ChatGPT.

“Write a song called ‘take this job and love it’ as a recruiting jingle remaking Johnny Paycheck's ‘take this job and shove it,’” he prompted our AI creative partner. The resulting lyrics elicited another round of belly laughs. They're so bad I had to share:

“TAKE THIS JOB AND LOVE IT”??

Lyrics By ChatGPT (inspired by Johnny Paycheck and songwriter David Allen Coe)?

(Verse 1)

Well, I used to wake up each day with a sigh,

Drag myself to work, oh, how time would fly.

But now there's a change, I'm feeling so elated,

Found a place to belong, where dreams are celebrated.

(Pre-Chorus)

No more Monday blues, no more endless grind,

A brand new opportunity, the perfect find.

We've turned the tables, flipped the script around,

With joy in our hearts, together we are bound.

(Chorus)

Take this job and love it, that's what we say,

A team that's like family, guiding your way.

From 9 to 5, or any hour you choose,

Here's your chance to thrive, let go of those blues.

(Verse 2)

A workplace that's buzzing with creative might,

A canvas for ideas, day and night.

We're breaking the mold, a future bright and bold,

Every challenge embraced, every story told.

(Pre-Chorus)

No more clock-watching, no more endless stress,

In this haven of growth, we'll help you progress.

Bring your passion and skills, let your talents soar,

Together we'll achieve, unlocking so much more.

(Chorus)

Take this job and love it, a journey anew,

Where every day's an adventure, each moment true.

With open arms, we welcome you aboard,

To a place where work's a joy, rewards untoward.

(Bridge)

Gone are the days of wishing to escape,

Now it's about embracing, in every form and shape.

We're building a legacy, a story to be told,

In unity we stand, a future to unfold.

(Pre-Chorus)

No more hesitation, no more looking back,

The old ways are behind us, we're on a fresh track.

Together we'll innovate, let our spirits lift,

Join hands and hearts, as we all uplift.

(Chorus)

Take this job and love it, let your spirit dance,

In this harmonious symphony, we'll give you a chance.

A family of colleagues, together we thrive,

Side by side we'll work, and together we'll strive.

(Outro)

So come on, take the step, let your dreams ignite,

In this new chapter of life, watch your world take flight.

With purpose and passion, let's make a vow,

To take this job and love it, starting now!

David Allen Coe couldn’t have written it any better. And Johnny’s turning over in his grave.? Open positions at our “haven of growth” can be found here.??

Sweet dreams!