We are 19.
There are three constants in life... change, choice and principles. - Stephen Covey
In the past 18 years, one recurring theme is the constant need for change. That’s been our story. After all, if you won’t change, you can’t grow. As we celebrate Year 19 for BRANDTHINK, another thing is also true. Constants. Things that should never change.
We look for constants to guide us as we navigate the stormy seas of change in our lives and careers. Constants are our lone lighthouse, a shining beacon from which we navigate. Our north star, guiding our path towards our horizon.
Choice is a constant. We choose what we value. We choose our attitudes. We choose the effort and how much we care. We choose who we listen to and we choose the words that guide our path. Even not making a choice, is a choice.
More often than not, due to our deep belief in our small size, we get to also choose the work we pursue. We choose the clients to invest in. We choose the team that we want. We even choose our purpose and how that purpose impact our selfs, our clients and the world.
But the most important choice of all, is our principles. Our principles reveal our character. Our principles show what we value in life. And yes, we have 12 of them.
Principles matter. A steadfast focus on our principles matter.
We should never lower our expectations just because there are those who can’t live up to it. Nor should we ever dumb down our standards, just to succumb to second best. We might rise, we might fall. We may find success, or face failures. But, we should never be the lowest common denominator, but seek higher paths, even when they are those who can’t, and those who won’t follow.
We stand firm to these principles, for who are we, if we are so easily swayed by the nagging discontent of some or the disbelief of others. Our path must always be forward. We suffer what is necessary. Do what’s difficult. We should blossom in adversity.
As we celebrate #BRANDTHINK19 today, and the change we have experience in the last 19 years, we are also taking today to acknowledge the constants that have carried us here. For us, those constants are a steadfast understanding of our purpose, a driven focus on things that matter and choosing to do what is right and the unvarying, steadfast and resolute defence of our principles.
To our clients and partners, thank you for allowing us to choose the right paths and to stand by our principles.
And to our team, “success is more permanent when you achieve it without destroying your principles”.