Salvador Dali once shared, "Every morning when I wake up, I experience an exquisite joy—the joy of being Salvador Dalí—and I ask myself in rapture, 'What wonderful things is this Salvador Dalí going to accomplish today?'"
How marvellous is this sentiment? How confident, playful, curious, and excited! It's not arrogance or egotism; Dali was simply content to be his authentic self, knowing that he was going to spend the day creating his own special kind of magic—a magic that no one else possessed because it was uniquely his.
Being your authentic self and finding your very own creative voice can be a major challenge for many of us. However, it should be the goal you set for yourself every single day you wake up.
I understand that being unapologetically 'you' is not always easy, and there are plenty of hurdles in the way, most of which we put there ourselves. The biggest roadblock can be our lack of self-esteem—the sneaking and corrosive belief that the very essence of ‘you’ isn't all that fascinating or even creative. Convincing yourself otherwise can be an uphill battle. I know; I've been there for a large part of my career. It's hard to initially see yourself as this captivating, creative force, to believe that your voice is worth listening to, that it's unique and interesting enough for others to take note.
But you are all you've got to bring to the table. If you genuinely want to make a meaningful contribution, being 'real,' finding your very own original voice, and boldly declaring, as the song says, THIS IS ME, is the only way to truly stand out as a creative and even as a human being.
Despite doubts, if you're eager to offer the most authentic version of yourself to the world, an easier way to think of it is that it's not just about you—it's actually about doing the world a favour. Your authenticity is rare; in fact, there's only one you, and you have the power to make a real impact if you believe in yourself.
This year, at the Sydney festival, I saw an incredible Frida Kahlo exhibition. Aside from being one of the best of its kind I’ve ever been to (amazingly interactive and engaging), the renowned Mexican artist is celebrated for her distinctive style and unapologetic expression of her identity, culture, and personal struggles through her art. Her creative voice is so idiosyncratic, you couldn’t mistake it for anyone else.
Self-esteem vs Confidence vs Arrogance
Let's have a quick chat about self-esteem, confidence, and the thin line between confidence and arrogance. Self-confidence is like the swagger in your step, fuelled by a belief in your skills. It's about projecting yourself to the world, showcasing the talents you've honed through practice and accomplishment. Self-esteem is that silent motivation within—it's how you see yourself on the inside, not reliant on skills but on embracing who you really are.
Confidence is a positive quality ingrained in self-belief, realistic self-awareness, and a genuine sense of worth. It's about trusting your judgment and skills, acknowledging both strengths and weaknesses. Confident individuals celebrate differences, support others, and foster a positive environment. Confidence also walks hand in hand with empathy. On the flip side, arrogance is the not-so-nice cousin that flaunts an inflated sense of self-importance. Arrogant individuals tend to belittle others, exaggerate their achievements, and assume their perspective is always superior. Arrogance, lacking empathy, blinds individuals to the value of others, creating tension and animosity in relationships. Weirdly though, overall, arrogance is usually driven by insecurity and a fear of exposure.
Stand up and stand out!
In the sometimes diametrically opposed world of advertising and marketing, fitting in might be the norm, but creativity demands standing out. Your unique style is not just the key to producing your best work; it'll be the light that defines and distinguishes you in your career. Finding your creative voice will be like uncovering a superpower, setting you apart and making your work intriguing and desired.
Your creative voice is your perspective, a fusion of skill, your style, subject matter, medium, and consistency. It’s a lifelong commitment, a journey of continuous experimentation, intentional practice, and following inspiration down paths of development. Skill is a cornerstone of your creative voice (see the previous episode on Effort equals Rewards). Turn up, try hard, stretch yourself, embrace feedback, and repeat. Accept failure as part of the creative process.
Believe that your creative voice truly is the magic within and that your story matters and your experiences matter. Draw upon your life, your loves, your regrets, truths, and cultural influences to infuse your work with personal meaning. For aspiring professionals, your creative voice is also your best friend. It sets you apart and opens doors to opportunities. A strong and distinct voice enhances the likelihood of success in any competitive creative field.
Be inspired by people like Salvador Dalí, David Bowie, Prince, Andy Warhol, Björk, and Tim Burton, all notable for their ‘eccentricity’ and the fearless expression of their creative visions. These individuals have demonstrated that embracing one's true self, even if it defies societal norms, can lead to groundbreaking creativity and positive change.
Urthboy: Producer, performer, creative, activist. Unapologetically himself. From a video I created for Spotify and Jack Morton Aust.
You do you!
Finding, developing, and perfecting your creative voice is not only about being unique; it's about embracing your individuality, consistently refining your skills, and always trying to connect with your audience on a personal level. In the dynamic world of advertising and marketing, your true voice will be your greatest asset.
So, young guns, as you navigate the ever-exciting journey of personal and professional growth, remember this: be confidently authentic, embrace collaboration, and stay humble. Your uniqueness has the power to make a real impact on the world. Go out there and conquer the day.
What wonderful things are you going to do today?
A unique campaign
One unique and memorable marketing campaign is the "Share a Coke" campaign created by Ogilvy. This campaign started in Australia in 2011 and has been replicated in various countries around the world. 80 markets at last count!
The "Share a Coke" campaign involved replacing the Coca-Cola logo on the iconic red cans with popular names. The idea was to encourage people to find and share a Coke with friends and family members whose names were featured on the cans. This personalised and interactive approach to packaging was a major departure from traditional mass-marketing strategies.
Reversing an 11-year consumption decline in the US and winning effectiveness awards across the globe, the campaign generated a significant amount of buzz and social media engagement, as people searched for their names on Coca-Cola products and shared their personalised cans online.
The concept tapped into the desire for individualisation and personal connection, creating a sense of excitement and a unique consumer experience.
Contact me
Have you got a subject you'd like me to address in a future article? Either comment below or email me the topic, or I'm happy to answer a short question privately. belinda@bellacreative.com.au
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