JJ's Muse

The famous Nike slogan.

The phrase was coined by Dan Wieden* in 1988, and has, I’m sure, become ingrained in the minds of millions of people – as well as indelibly linked to the Nike ‘tick’, formally know as the Swoosh.

Advertising makes millions based on it’s understanding of the power of words, the promotion of an idea, the planting of a seed. Those 3 words” “Just Do It” were 20 years old in July 2008, and amoungst other things, have been cited as inspiring people to: “…leave abusive husbands and achieve heroic feats.” (source, Oregon live.com)

Those words were on my mind a few weeks back,  inspired by the frustration of coming face-2-face with a missed opportunity which seemed to have happened merely because someone chose not to ‘Just Do It’, not to speak up, not to take a risk…only to appear still, years later, to have some lingering reflection/regret of what might have been.

The words are back on my mind today, as I digest news I received recently that will mean big changes, big changes. The temptation is there to not take the risk, to question the craziness of decisions which will soon have to be made, to wonder how on earth this has all finally come together…The desire is also there to ‘Just Do It’.

Yes those words are part of an ad campaign to ‘make’ us want to buy trainers, and other sporting goods, yes they are used imaginatively/manipulatively to create profit for a commercial business giant, but they surely only have that power as they sum up the longing of some, maybe many of us, who wished we had, could, or would just do something. Un-hinder ourselves, take the risk, risk being vulnerable, pluck up the courage, change something, and just do whatever ‘it’ is.

I feel as if I’m now sounding like I’m giving a pep talk, Janice’s motivation 101 so I’m gonna leave it there.

*It was agency co-founder Dan Wieden who coined the now-famous slogan “Just Do It” for a 1988 Nike ad campaign, which was chosen by Advertising Age as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century, and the campaign has been enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution.^[9] San Franciscan Walt Stack was featured in Nike’s first “Just Do It” advertisement that debuted on July 1, 1988.^[10] Wieden credits the inspiration for the slogan to “Let’s do it”, the last words spoken by Gary Gilmore before he was executed.^[11]

Went to an Inaugural lecture put on by The Forgiveness Project today.
The main speaker was Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and he was given the title of, ‘Is Violence Ever Justified?‘. He spent some minutes on on the given title, then shared for a longer time of his, and the South African experience of forgiveness, in and following apartheid…. He had a manner that was very engaging, thought provoking and challenging, and also humourous – which could seem strange to imagine, considering the topic.

Potentially even more provoking, or adding to the challenge of the Archbishop’s words, were the 3 people who were there as panel members: Mary Blewitt, who had 50 of her family killed in the Rwandan Genocide, and works now to support survivors, and also Pat Magee, convicted of planting the 1984 Brighton Bomb and Jo Berry, daughter of Sir Anthony Berry MP who was killed in the bombing. They each had a few mins to share their perspectives on the topic, and respond in some way to the points raised by Desmond Tutu. A few questions from the audience and the panel’s response to those, rounded up the event.

I went away intrigued by what I had heard, challenged, and thoughtful about the topic itself. I also came away with a sense of hope, that a project exists, in order to raise awareness of this topic, and enable such dialogue to happen.

The Past is gone, your Future is here, grab it! Grab It! GRAB IT!

Where is your Future? Here in your Present, grab it!…

This is an idea that a friend shared with me recently. It is an idea that she heard from another woman, and one she has used successfully, as she prepares to head to the States to live.

We’ve probably all heard a plethora of ideas or strategies for how to de-clutter our homes, offices, rooms, wardrobes!

‘If you haven’t used it in 6 months…”If you haven’t used it in a year…’ and they go on.

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This made up part of an encouragement to me some years back when I was berating myself for my faults and failings – annoyingly too often in the same areas.

The actual line was: “Janice, you are a work in progress”. Even just thinking about it now, makes me stop pause, accompanied by a contented sigh. You see it was such a relief to have those words so lovingly, and without judgement or consternation said. An affirming tone accompanied them, which made me hope for change.

Why have these words come to mind now? Because I read a similar sentiment  in a book I’m currently reading about leadership.

I believe the words: “work in progress” have much to say to those of the creative persuasion – whether related to the person, or the creations of the person.

Be encouraged!

The line from a song that I woke up with this morning. – Not sure why as I can’t remember listening to it recently.

“I am the change I want to see” I mused on the words, and my first thoughts were, of the agreeing variety. I then went onto wonder what the connotations to this concept were… So I decided to do a google search on them, though I realise now I actually searched for: “I am the change I want to be”. – Maybe this was subconcious…

Anyway, only 3 results came up and they brought me to a video: Be The Change That You Want To See.

It interested me, so thought I’d share it with you. Let me know what you think of the idea of being the change you want to see or be.

Be The Change That You Want To See