I’m no one special. I’m just a guy who grew up with too much time on his hands; a guy who punched in too many hours inside his own head thinking about stuff and other stuff because my attention span was just abysmal.

Fortunately, they have jobs for people like me. The ad industry calls us “creatives”, and that gives us a license to basically smear puppies and babies all over car commercials as long as it means people might actually buy them. That’s a pretty sweet gig, and here I thought I was going to write the next great American novel followed by a gruesomely memorable death in my early 50’s. I suppose I can settle for being a copywriter, for now at least.

It’s an industry of constant ups and downs. Some days I feel great about the work I produce, and other days I swear that I’m a worthless hack, but when it’s all said and done, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else at this point in my life.

Throughout my journey, I’ve compiled a list of, well, thoughts that express what I’ve come to believe in as a creative.

1) Believe in yourself.

I know, it’s so generic and cliche, but it’s true. I lack confidence in a lot of areas in my life, but having faith in my abilities is a necessity in this line of work, and if I don’t, then who will?

2) The truth hurts so good.

I like ballsy advertising. The type of work that makes people shift uncomfortably in their seats for all the right reasons. I enjoy them because they force people to confront what’s really lurking on the inside. You think about it, you talk about it, and even if you disagree with the message, you might respect it at the end of the day, which reminds me…

3) You’re gonna love me.

Even if you don’t, you’ll at least like me, and if you hate me, at least you’ll love doing it.

4) Respect your fellow creatives.

We’re here because suits and ties are gross and icky. Even if their brand of weird doesn’t always mesh with mine, I can at least appreciate that we can get weird together.

5) There’s no cure for procrastination like a deadline.

Put a due date on something, anything. Sweeten the deal with a penalty like forcing yourself to eat an entire plate of celery sticks for dinner if you skip out on the gym. I guarantee you’ll go to the gym now.

I have no doubts that this list will grow and change in the coming years. Until then…

-Alex M.