The year that packed a punch: what I learned in 2020

Yes, I know you’ve probably read enough end of year wrap-up articles by now. But because 2020 was a major mental learning curve for me (with all the expected setbacks), I’d still like to share some lessons that are (mostly) not corona-related. Here goes:

Don’t be afraid to follow your vision

After seven years of interviews with entrepreneurs, CEOs and other professionals and experts, it struck me: they follow their vision, but they also sometimes have to adjust course along the way. That counts for me as well, and more specifically my YouTube and podcast show Techmag. Originally the show was only focused on tech and entrepreneurship. But I got the sense that my public wanted more, and I wanted more too.

I realized that the real power of the show lay not so much in the business aspect as the personal aspect.

I found that the narrow focus on tech and entrepreneurship quickly became limiting. I also realized that the real power of the show lay not so much in the business aspect as the personal aspect. So I decided to interview not just entrepreneurs, but also thought leaders, well-known figures in Flanders, comedians, media stars, politicians and more. Once I found my vision, I stopped at nothing to reach it. For example, I persistently harassed Marc van Ranst for months until he gave in (because of that corona thing, you know). The result was a scoop that made it into the Flemish press: newspapers, radio and TV.

Soon after followed interviews with Evy Gruyaert, Leen Dendievel, Fleur Pierets, Sammy Mahdi and Rik Torfs. Then one of my best friends, Patrick Van Rosendaal, introduced me to DPG Media. A few talks later a collaboration was secured. It’s now being fully tested. This is the first time that a media company has actually been willing to pay for my content, which means that Techmag can finally break even. Woohoo!!!

Your personality is worth more than you think

Sometimes I get asked how I manage to land all those guests. Let me be clear: there are no marketing machines or complex strategies backing me up. I’m really just myself. I had already interviewed Seth Godin at Supernova, and then I was also very spontaneous and laid-back. So when I sent him a messages in January asking if he remembered me, and whether I could come and interview him, I got this answer:

Plane tickets were booked, but corona had other plans. I did end up interviewing Seth, but via Zoom. The same way I got to speak to Guy Kawasaki. After the interview Guy asked if Britt and I would come to California if he needed a two-camera shot. I gave him my work, in exchange for a surf lesson from Kawasaki himself. His answer?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to brag (well maybe a tiny bit, I mean it is pretty cool). I just want to hammer in the idea that you can get further with just being you than you might think. To align my business with this conviction, in August I changed the name of my copywriting company (which still makes up 90% of my work) from Copymag to Magali De Reu. Maybe it’s a bit redundant, but for me it was a clear statement: namely a promise to myself that I would never become an agency, and would always operate as a person. Not scaleable, you say? Well, not everything has to be scaleable. Above all it has to stay fun. 

Besides, my personality has brought me so many connections, opportunities and business. It’s the reason why people get a different feeling from my interviews than a lot of the articles and podcasts out there. It’s the reason why people sometimes prefer to work with me, even if someone else is cheaper and just as good. I almost can’t believe how many companies still buy into the uber commercial approach. Sometimes people still ask me if I can do communications for them and make their company look as attractive as possible. So that more people want to buy their stuff or work for them.

Of course my blunt statements and big mouth sometimes offend people and even exclude certain target groups. But that’s exactly how potential customers who aren’t a good fit for me get filtered out.

The thing is, that’s just bullshit. What really makes a difference is identifying your skills and values and finding that sweet spot with what the market and your target audience needs. If you’ve got that, you don’t need to invent a bunch of candy-coated nonsense. You just have to show who you are. Of course my blunt statements and big mouth sometimes offend people and even exclude certain target groups. But that’s exactly how potential customers who aren’t a good fit for me get filtered out. Which makes the odds of valuable leads and successful collaborations even greater.

Your mental health is your most important asset

Since April I’ve been a regular member of the Start it @KBC team, and thanks to them I’ve come to understand the importance of wellbeing more. Which is kind of sad actually, because I’ve been writing for companies like AG Health Partner for a while now, where health and wellbeing are important topics. As much as I know on the subject, I somehow started applying it too late in practice.

Work hard, play hard sounds cool and everything, but what does it matter if you don’t feel good about yourself? How can professional success make you happy if you’re all torn up inside? The truth is, I just kept pushing and let my mental health deteriorate. I thought: everyone’s having a tough year, I’m physically healthy and so I don’t have any reason to complain. Until at one point, after a long day of interviews I broke down crying from overstimulation. Conversations that would normally energize me were difficult to take on. I took client feedback way too personally. Eight hours of sleep felt like two.

Suddenly I had no choice but to work on myself.

Make no mistake, I live for my work. But maybe that’s also the problem. You can’t function in life when things aren’t right inside. The result was that my private life was falling apart by early November. Suddenly I had no choice but to work on myself. I knew I wasn’t capable of producing quality work for my clients at that moment. And my clients and collaborators deserve honesty, I insist on that. So I bit the bullet and sent a tough email saying I needed a short break. That was probably the hardest thing I had to do, and I’m so grateful for everyone I work with for being so understanding. I also think it’s necessary to break the taboo on mental health.

Mental health is a long-term game, and I'm still not there yet.

The same with therapy: it’s still a bit taboo, especially in Europe. But I can recommend it to anyone. Therapists act as a sounding board and offer other perspectives than a friend can. I also continue to write down all my lessons learned in a journal. I put on paper what I’m grateful for each day to help me stay positive. We sometimes take the little things for granted, but they’re not a given. So I didn’t cure myself of all issues, hang-ups and mental struggles in one day. It’s a long term project, and I’m still not there yet. But I’m on my way, and that’s what counts. In 2021 I want to work more proactively on my mental wellbeing. I’m not going to wait until it’s almost too late this time. I owe that to myself.

What are the most important lessons you learned in 2020? I’d love to hear them!