Review of 2008
It seems like 2009 has kicked off very busy for me, so I haven't even noticed it's already mid-February! Nevertheless, I feel like I should take a small stop and look back to the year 2008 and compile the nominations for it.
I continue with visiting at least three new countries per year. In 2008 that was Ireland, Spain and Portugal, as well as going to Latvia again, and let's not forget London and Liverpool. Professionally I have had one of the most exciting years, full of challenges that I needed, which have stretched me quite a bit. I have also been immersed to creative environment which triggered me to start doing things I though I will never do again - like drawing an painting.
My core focus for the year was health and balance, which has been fulfilled partly, and I am happy with the result so far. Doing yoga and 5 Rhythms authentic dance, healthier food has really helped me... how is it called.... find inner peace?;).. I have developed a few healthy habits (exercise, regular breakfast and dinner times, etc etc) which are part of my routine now.
And here are the nominations... not all of them are the same as in year 2007, as the relevance has changed. Here they are...
Personal Achievement:
Master's degree :) Gosh I'm glad I'm done with it.
Personal Failure 2008:
Blogging :) I wish I could do it more, at the same time, I think it should be a bit different than up to now. So at the moment I'm passive blogger.
Never Done Before:
Chairing AIESEC conference (Take Off 2008). Loved it!
Year's Money "Eater":
Tuition Fee again. But summer
holidays in Spain and Portugal almost hit that one
Concert of the Year:
De Phazz in Vilnius
Song of the Year:
Ladytron - Runaway
Album of the Year:
Hot Chip "Made in the Dark"Club where most of my party nights we spent:
WooBest Person met:
There's even two of them - Richi and Justina. Both amazing people that I'm glad appeared in my life.
Best Reunion
Mona in London, Tijs in Vilnius, MC team in Brussels... all of them were great cause it's reunions :))
Best spot in Town, discovered in 2008:
Chaplin bar
Experience of the Year:
MTV Europe Music Awards
Book of the Year:
Andy Warhol's biography
Blog of the Year:
Zen HabitsWebsite of the Year:
Creative ArchiveThe Most Fulfilling Moment:
Walking in the sunny streets and beaches of Marbella (Spain) and listening to bossanova.
Lesson of the Year:
Less is more.
About the future: personal focus area for the year 2009 is creative work. I'm afraid I'm not able to explain this focus area more in detail, but eventually you will find out...
Summer in Paradise
To re-start information flowing to my blog, I would like to share my impressions from my fantastic summer holiday that I had in June - me and another 3 friends of mine took 2 weeks off to discover South of Spain and Portugal. Was an amazing road trip with lots of colours and adventures. The first slide is a bit blurry but the rest is sharper than sharp =) (To get the best view - click on "view in Slideshare" and turn the Full Screen Mode on).
Creative Genius is Gone
Paul Arden, an eccentric, revered creative responsible for some of the U.K.'s most popular advertising during his 14 years as Saatchi & Saatchi's executive creative director, died Wednesday of a heart attack. (read more)
This news wouldn't have hit me that much , if not a magic book, written by Mr. Arden himself, called
"It's not how Good You are, but how Good You Want to Be". I found it two years ago in a bookstore in Brussels and since then P. Arden became my idol and this book - my professional bible.
It does not have a lot of text. It has a lot of pictures. But it's far from children's books. In this book the ideas shared are simple, clear and hit to the essence. And the visual support makes them memorable.
Even more, Arden's tips are so used in my work now. They are simple, they are common sense, but that is actually the point - in this book they are given in a way so I remember them and use them in the right moment.
The key ideas from this book that from his book that I live by:
- You are all selling something. Your product or your point of view.
- Do not seek praise. Seek criticism.
- It's all my fault.
- Don't look for the next opportunity. The one you have in your hand is the opportunity.
- Accentuate the positive. Eliminate the negative.
- Do not put your cleverness in front of your communication.
- What do you do when your client won't buy? Do it his way. Then do it your way.
- When it can't be done, do it. If you don't do it, it doesn't exist.
I am not 100% perfect at it, but those ideas have worked for me so many times. Taking charge of my mistakes has taught me so much more rather than blaming everyone else around me. How many times I said "Let's try!" for some of the potential pitches, when everyone else said "It's not possible" and I actually succeeded. And am doing my best to make the most out of the worst assignment that ever comes to my hands.
And it is not only at work. So many times I found out how it corresponds with common sense and simple life. Common sense is actually genius.
Arden was a genius to put it down in a form that spoke to way broader audience than his profession, age or education. This book speaks to most of people.
I know more people inspired by Mr.Arden and his books:
Mazzy,
Jen and our creative team in the company. Advertising people. Bank clerks. Success coaches. Success seekers.
I had this dream to meet this guy sometime. Bad luck.
Nominations for 2007
2007 has been a great year for me! Lived half/half in two different countries (Netherlands and Lithuania), visited one country never been to (Denmark) and revisited Belgium and Estonia. Met a lot of amazing people, a few of them I became very close friends of mine. Had loads of exciting moments. Have been taking serious professional decisions - went back to sales again, chose a future with less money in the beginning but with more opportunities. Got into my favorite business industry - media/advertising. Not all of the years experiences I have managed to capture in the blog, but let me look back quickly at the year 2007 and announce my nominations for Year 2007:
Personal Achievement 2007:Starting to take care of my financial future
Personal Failure 2007:Fulfilling relationships
Never Done Before 2007:Performing in an
improv showYear's Money "Eater":Tuition Fee
Concert of the Year:MTV B-Day in Riga with Digitalism
Song of the Year:Happyendless "Power Forever"Music Video of the Year:Justice D.A.N.C.E.Album of the Year:Supperclub Presents
Club of the Year:Pacha VilniusParty of the Year:1 gram of 2009, featuring Mate and my friends
Best Culture Event Visited in 2007:Chicks on Speed in Contemporary Art Center (Vilnius)
Best Person met in 2007:Jade
Best ReunionWith Piret from Estonia
Best spot in Town, discovered in 2007:Coffee Inn (Vilnius)
Alto (Amsterdam)
Experience of the Year:KaosPilots visit in Aarhus, Denmark
Magazine of the Year: PravdaBook of the Year:"Whatever you think, think the opposite" by Paul ArdenBlog of the Year:Guy Kawasaki's blogPersonal Blog post of the Year:
7 tips on Reintegration
Website of the Year:TED TalksThe Most Exciting Moment:Experiencing those small things can make a huge difference.
Lesson of the Year:Don't take yourself too seriously, and celebrate the imperfection!
I chose the year 2008 will be the year of health and balance. After a busy and exciting life for 2 years abroad and 6 months in an intense work and party roller-coaster, I feel like I REALLY need to take care of myself, otherwise it will become a problem. Yup, less junk food, more water, less small little vices and more exercise!
Did you have some cheese on your New Year's Eve?
According to Chinese horoscope, since the year 2008 is Rat's year, you have to treat the rat so the rat would take care of you in 2008. So I hope you had some cheese or nuts during the New Years Eve (next to champagne, concerts, TV watching, tequilla, dirty dancing and other stuff that you normally do while celebrating New Year's Eve).
Happy 2008!!
Merry Christmas!
I wish you
love,
joy and
happiness!
You don't need to show your passport...
...when you decide to come to Lithuania by bus from Portugal, Sweden, Italy or wherever else within the area in blue:
From today on Lithuania has become a part of
Schengen area, which means that you will be able to cross borders without any special controls while travelling inside the area. And people living outside this area, but having a Schengen visa, can freely come to visit me without any additional visa paperwork :) Woot woot!
Labels: Lithuania, Traveling
