We Are All Attention Seekers

We're all attention seekers - that's not a bad thing...it's how we are wired. The interesting part for me (and it should be for anyone who wants to sell anything) is that we also pay attention to anything or anyone that pays attention to us.

Where this starts to be important is that it seems to be all about devices today in reaching people. And, while its true that convenience plays a big part in getting your message out, if they aren't paying attention to you, you just become an annoyance.

Since I work in media, I started thinking about this and how newspapers have evolved and where they might be going.

Newspapers began with the thinking that everyone wanted to see the same thing at the same time (not that people had a lot of choice if they wanted news and other content). Advertisers quickly saw that this was to what people were paying attention and decided that if they were paying attention to the news and other stories, that they would HAVE to pay attention to the ads as well. This meant that I had to see ads about feminine hygeine products whether I wanted to or not. This, unfortunately, started to fall apart quickly (remember the annoyance factor above? - I even annoyed you by bolding and italicizing "paying attention" 3 times because you weren't really wanting to see that and maybe stopped paying attention).

So people started to source their information from places that seemed to pay attention to their wants and needs. They paid attention to things that paid attention to them.

The reason that there is such a focus on devices now is that the device is seen as the source of this attention. We all know its not but the reality of that hasn't struck home as yet.

What IS becoming clear to advertisers and content providers is that they really have to pay attention to all these attention seekers out there if they want to be successful. They have to give them what they want, where and when they want it. That's where the device plays a part, but only a part.

Targeted content and advertising is in its infancy really. When we can somehow provide this relevant content and relative advertising that is important to that individual, that's when THEY WILL PAY ATTENTION, and not because of the device!

The cache of Apple iPhones or Google Glass or any other manufacturer of devices will fade but the need to pay attention to attention seekers will always be there. When we focus on that endearing, innate aspect of human behaviour we will have their focused attention.

Following a Passion

This morning the alarm clock went off (for the 3rd time...I'm not really big on early mornings) to the old Survivor/Rocky song "Eye of the Tiger". Ok, before all of you say, "What radio station was THAT on!" - that isn't really my point. Showing my age, I remembered the lyrics to the song but, for the first time, some of those words really stuck to me. There's a line in the song that goes, "So many times, it happens so fast - you trade your passion for glory...".

I started to think about times in my life where I did exactly that - traded my passion for glory. Glory for money, for a more prestigious job, notoriety...whatever - it happened (happens?).

My first university degree was in music composition and I was a trumpet player, and a good one. I was incredibly passionate about it. I studied and practiced every day, 7 days a week, 5-6 hours a day. I performed, I loved it. I was also hungry. I looked at friends who had lots of free time, making more money than I was and, really quickly, decided I wanted to have those things too.

That was a long time ago. I do many things for which I feel passion today but none stand up to the passion I had for my music.

Had I not traded that passion, would I have found the "glory" I needed anyway? Would watching a musician perform on stage make me as emotional as it does now? Would I feel guilty that I hadn't practiced my horn for weeks? But would I have also found the time for new passions and creative innovations in which I have become a part?

We tell our children to follow their passion and that "the money will follow". Maybe it's more "don't do what you hate". You can't be good at what you hate and everyone wants to be good at what they do.

I do find I'm good at work things I am passionate about but which comes first? If you can be good at a few things (several things) you can create time for your real passion. 

I now play my trumpet "for my own amazement" and I do it when I want to. The times I play  I wouldn't trade for anything for but I wouldn't want to "have" to do it. That defines a passion for me.

So, should we follow our passions or just find time for them in our lives?

First World Problems

It's Friday...interesting week learning how to increase my patience with all those "1st world problems"...in no particular order...and why they are 1st world problems...
1. Challenging timelines to align the business to our new world (I have a job - much better than many)
2. Teenage children (I have healthy (mostly) happy children - some can't have)
3. Lot's of time on the phone with Telstra - more broadband problems (I have broadband)
4. Petrol is $1.57 a litre (I have a car)
5. Blocked toilet and had to call a plumber (I have a toilet...inside - and can pay for a plumber)
6. Council finally assigned a planner to my development approval after 3 months (I have a house and can afford to renovate it)
7. It feels really cold today (it's been over 30 degrees in early Spring and I live 5 minutes from the beach)
8. Feeling old this week (I'm alive and well)
9. My wife tells me I need a hobby (I have a wife and she wants me to be happy)
10. I'm hoping my mobile will hold out for a few more weeks until the iPhone 5S arrives (I have an iPhone 4S)
...and this is what I have to complain about...? Geeeez...