Ads OR Inspiration

​What inspires you? I can find inspiration in all kinds of places, even advertising. Some ads have a philosophy that really speak to me! I know the company’s motivation is to sell me a product, but I love when I hear or see ads that transport me to a bigger context than shopping! 

The words become affirmations to ​reframe from impossible to possible, from can’t to can, and from division to inclusion.

Here are a few of my favorites.

• Just do it. It reminds me to get started and keep going. I repeat it to myself when I just don’t feel like doing it! “Get up and just do it,” I say to myself, whether it’s a complicated conversation or going for a run. I recently saw a t-shirt that said, “Just did it!” It made me laugh! 
• It takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It reminds me to get up one more time than any mishap that knocks me down. I think about it whenever I fail until failure turns into an opportunity for improvement. This idea is even more important to me now, especially since we’ve all taken a licking with the pandemic, and we need to keep on ticking and never give up.
• Before it can change the world, it has to change yours. It reminds me to walk the talk, that action moves the world and talk is cheap. There’s so much coaching on improving life, but the most remarkable moment is when I take my own advice and make the necessary changes I’ve been talking about. Change requires new choices. 
• Where’s the beef? Remember that one? The message is good, even if you’re a vegan! It reminds me to fill my conversations with substance instead of fluff. Did I get my message across? Or am I gabbing along with no thought on whether my words are delicious or indigestible!
• I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony. It reminds me about the tone of my voice that often matters more than the words. My words can be clever and to the point, but have you ever noticed that people stop listening to you when your tone is accusing or harsh? How do you speak in harmony? Listen more.
• Make someone happy! It reminds me that making just one person happy could change the world and that love is the answer. I know this is a song used in an ad, but what a song! We should all sing it every day. Just make one person happy today!

Do you remember the ads? Nike, Timex, Volkswagen, Wendy’s, and Coke. I’ve owned more Nike shoes than I can count and actually started running with a pair of their men’s running flats because they didn’t have running shoes for women! We’ve come a long way! Timex was my watch of choice for every day, but I traded it in for my first Apple watch. I bought a used beetle Volkswagen as the second car I ever owned and only gave it up when I had kids and needed something bigger. I don’t drink soda! But I still love those commercials!

At a time when all of our spirits need an uplift every day, I’m glad when companies get you thinking about something more significant than the products they’re selling.

Let’s have fun today! What are your favorite ad campaigns?

May your day be happy and productive.