The next steps worth takin’

You see, I can only feel this way so long

Before I feel like I don’t belong

- – -

On the other side of this world is a new life

An adventure without any strife

It’s like you keep on feeling a certain way

And all you want to know is how to make it go away

- – -

When you know in your heart that it’s over

It’s time to say goodbye

Because what you want to find in this world is love

You want that thing that has nothing above

And it’s that process that is the magic.”

-Steve Jobs

- Pablo Picasso

“To find is the thing.”

- Pablo Picasso

“The journey is the reward.”

- Unknown

“Somewhere someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a seed long ago.”

- Warren Buffett

Why can’t we just move along the journey that is life without thinking about status?

Why does so much of what we do depend on what others’ think of us?

I have several friends who love to boast about what they do, the car they bought (or really want), whom they hooked up with, or how rich they’re going to be.

Hearing this annoys me. Perhaps annoyed isn’t the right word.

To be honest, it just makes me sad.

There was once a time when I was driven by external expectations. I used to really care about what everyone thought of me. I needed everyone’s approval. But when I realized this was what was causing me to behave a certain way, I just let go.

Why? Because this led me to do things that I really didn’t enjoy doing. I was being driven by prestige. I was being driven by you. And it felt so unnatural.

When I realized this I felt a pure sense of joy. I still do.

I don’t think people should give credence to what most people will think of them.

I don’t mean you shouldn’t care for others. Or that no one’s opinion matters.

What I’m talking about is identity. I’m talking about family. I’m talking about community.

To find what and who will bring you happiness, you first have to find yourself.

And the only way you can find yourself is to be you. Live your life.

You’ll know when you’ve found them. Love is like that.

You’ll know because it’ll keep getting better. You’ll want it to go on forever.

You’ll realize the journey is the reward.

-Steve Jobs, 1955 – 2011

What if people are starting to tune out once-effective marketing campaigns?

The economy is fragile right now.

What if consumers are buying less, not just because they have less income, or no job, but because they realize they don’t need or want most of the stuff they’ve purchased in the pas?

What if consumers’ buying behavior is changing?

What if people are beginning to scrutinize how and where they spend their money, like a painter carefully chooses how and where to move their brush?

If I were a consumer products company — in any industry — I’d start thinking more carefully about why I’m making what I’m making.

I’d constantly be asking myself: “Do people really want what I’m making? Do I even really want what I’m making?”

Going forward, I think people will begin spending more and more of their income on experiences (and mostly offline ones) rather than products — like traveling, dining, sports, entertainment, etc.

I believe this is going to happen because I think this is what people want.

Many types of luxury consumer products like transportation, electronics, apparel, games, books, etc. will still be marketed well and consumed.

But I think it will be at a decreasing rate. That is, when the market delivers (making and distributing) what people actually want — new, good experiences, on a sustainable basis.

This is a product of focusing on breadth and depth.