I blame TV. ‘Before television, you would not have seen the World Cup, but you would have followed your own local teams with intensity. You would have spent more time playing yourself’ says White Dot, the campaign against television.
I’m going to spend the 96 hours (or 4 very long days) of match coverage doing something else less boring instead. Such as:
- Brush up on my skills. No, I’m not going to even try to convince myself that I’ll be fluent in Japanese by the end of the World Cup. I know my limits. But I am going to brush up my online writing skills by reading Hot Text: Web Writing that Works; and from Oh My God What Happened and What Should I Do? learn more about how to use digital media to engage.
- Come up with a cunning plan. In August, Words Are Everywhere celebrates its first year in business. The business plan never quite got finished – not that I’m complaining, because I’ve yet to have the ‘quiet period’ necessary to finish it. Without the distraction of TV, I shall finish my plan. Honest, Mr Business Gateway Business Adviser
- Take the business to the next stage. Pressburger’s 1945 film I Know Where I’m Going is one of my favourites. If you haven’t seen it you must. If only for the scene when Torquil manages to start the boat engine in time to stop it being sucked into the Corryvreckan whirlpool. Yes, I’m a contradiction, wrapped up in an enigma. Films are good because they’re an escape from the real world. My escape from the real business world will be a short fantasy sequence where Words Are Everywhere is the no1 choice for content. To do this I need a mentor. If you, or anyone you know, would be interested do get in touch. I’m low maintenance. Honest.
- Celebrate success. Well you can’t depend on the World Cup for celebrations. So I’m going to take stock and look at what I’ve achieved. Today I work with great clients – the People’s Postcode Lottery, NHS Health Scotland, the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Policy & Research, Ollie & Forbes, Abbott Risk Consulting, 39 Steps and Axiom among others plus many SMEs and agencies. I haven’t had a single day when I haven’t looked forward to going to work. Long may it continue. Unlike the World Cup.