I was listening to Alec Baldwin’s great “Here’s the Thing” podcast this past week and his guest was the legendary musician/songwriter/activist David Crosby. Crosby, who has lived many a life, talked about what keeps him going more than the money. His answer was pretty simple, and it wasn’t contrived at all. The joy of seeing others in the music business, those at a younger age maybe just getting started, who have that unbridled passion and are enjoying all that they are doing, and discovering the amazing things about working in entertainment and impacting people that sometimes the veterans forget.
It’s the same in the business we are in, or probably I would hope, in any profession, or in any relationship. When you are in it for so long, you get lost in the weeds and forget how much fun things can be, or how much joy an industry like sports and entertainment can bring to others.
My old friend and longtime coach Brendan Suhr always said the same thing, and was surprised at how little some of the greatest professional athletes appeared to enjoy what they were doing. No matter how driven you are, you should be able to convey the good to others. I have never been known for being the most outwardly happy of people, but I am convinced that a smile and more importantly, positive passion and enthusiasm are invaluable, whether you are a third grade teacher or LeBron James. There is too much sadness in the world, if you love what you do convey that publicly.
With all the meanderings to events and conferences lately, the importance of joy in what we do has been more front and center than ever before. Yes work for everyone is somewhat of a grind, but early in the day, or end of day, finding a few minutes to reflect, see if you have moved the needle, and enjoy what you do personally and professionally is so key to any kind of success. In the 24/7 world we live in that really gets lost sometimes, often pretty easily.
Luckily I have been able to witness some of that joy, and that rediscovery, as we have stopped in at various places in recent weeks. I stole some time to go to the well done NFL Draft event at Met Life Stadium for the Jets and Giants this past week, and it was amazing to see over 20,000 people, basically watching a large TV screen enjoy a beautiful night at the Meadowlands taking pictures, sharing thoughts and most importantly, reverently wandering around on the playing field of their favorite teams. The looks on people’s faces as they touched the turf or went through the locker room, and both the Jets and the Giants representations were different, was really impressive to see, and impacted the lives of thousands who may not have taken advantage of that simple shared joyous moment before.
I also saw it this week at the viewing event FC Bayern Munich did for the Champions League matchup with FC Barcelona in New York. FCB has done an amazing job of building a fan base for a club thousands of miles away. Their social media work to create affinity in all fifty states is unparalleled, but their ability to create simple experiences, and trot out trophies and kits for fans to touch and feel, is just another example of how that simple joyous interaction resonates well beyond a jersey or a ticket sale. The moment, the personal experience, is invaluable.
I saw it in LA as well, driving to the airport after the World Congress of Sports event. I stopped by the site of the new football stadium going up, just across from some other hallowed ground, the Forum, and asked a few workers on the site if this building project was special. They all smiled and said buildings are usually the same old, but here, they were putting together a place where families would come for decades to remember such special moments, and that made their work just a little different from what they were doing elsewhere. Joy in building a building.
I also saw it in the faces and discussions I had with so many people both in LA for World Congress and Miami for Portada, where we talked about the impact Latin American brands and fans can have in our business. I got to spend a few minutes waiting for my car in the valet with Hall of Famer Lynn Swann, now the athletic director at his alma mater USC, and he was very open in talking about the impact he felt he could and would make on the lives of young people in his role now, which was even more valuable than all his time playing with the Steelers. In Miami, new Marlins president Chip Bowers talked a lot about the impact little things can do to change the course of lives of people young and old by being a brand that is part of a community, not just one that plays games in MLB. He pointed to many examples where little things; messages, thank you’s community events, done away from the limelight by players and members of the organization while he was with the Golden State Warriors had a lasting effect on people that was more important than winning a title (although winning helps too). All of that discussion occurred with a smile, accompanied with fond and worthwhile memories.
I also saw joy in the faces and places of several actors and creative folks I have been around in recent weeks. Their task may be repetitive in nature and bemoaned as old school by some, but, having had a sneak peek at several projects that may be coming on stage and screen in the coming year, the impact of the arts has never been more important in restoring the joy to those who will watch and become consumed by their creative and innovative work.
Also the last few weeks I have felt a little like Yoda, as people seek you out for career advice or some counsel which has nothing to do with the day to day duties of work. Some are young people starting out, others are in the midst of career change or are going through some unusual episodes, and sadly even more are people who have lost their way and are struggling to find a new fit. I certainly don’t have all or sometimes most of the answers, but I do know that as I have said before, a job does not define you, just like a University or a high school does not define a teacher or a student. You help define it, and that’s how you make your impact. Finding that little bit of joy in all is what makes this ride so special.
Hey am I always the happiest of people? Ha, that’s funny. However I do find joy in something, anything every day, and now that the weather is getting a little warmer (and we have some momentous family occasions coming) I’m hoping that joy is conveyed to others we pass along the road. It has certainly been conveyed back to me in some notes and emails I have received from folks who I tried to help, or just listen to for a few minutes. The pleasure to all…was mine. Being able to help, for me, even a little but, is very joyous.
No one said it was going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride right? Whether we are high school students or award winning artists, we only get one shot at this, so let’s not miss the opportunity. We are all in it together.
