PPPPsycho Babble (Four Ps #250)
Tuning Out the Anxiety. Turning up the Rebelliousness, Adaptation & Learning.
A long December… and there's reason to believe that maybe last year will be better than the the next.
Depending on who you ask, anxiety is everywhere these days.
📞 Recently, I had a deep conversation with someone who would know—a therapist I’ve known for years.
🛋️ We talked shop (their shop, not mine), and it got me thinking:
Anxiety doesn’t just tap on your shoulder. Sometimes, it barrels through the door. 🚪💥
For me, it’s like an unwelcome houseguest:👀 Always lurking.🍿 Constantly snacking on my mental bandwidth.
Sound familiar? 🤔
THE PERSONAL: The Messy World of Anxiety
Anxiety doesn’t discriminate.
It sneaks into quiet moments 🛌 and loud ones 🔊—during deadlines 🕒 or daydreams ☁️.
For many of us, it’s more than just a fleeting feeling.
Here’s a scene you might know too well:
😵💫 Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, your mind spinning:
What if I forgot something? What if I said the wrong thing? What if…what if…
It’s exhausting. And it’s everywhere.
My therapist friend said they’re seeing more clients than ever for anxiety-related issues. Why? Society’s pressure cooker is always on:
🤖 AI threatening jobs... and lives
Anxiety wears many masks. The acute panic attack: sweaty palms, racing heart, the world closing in.
🔄 The quieter kind: constant worries humming in the background, like static on an old TV.
🕷️ Phobias (shoutout to the arachnophobes)
💔 PTSD: where past traumas haunt the present.
🔁 OCD: relentless routines that grip your day-to-day.
Whatever the form, anxiety doesn’t just visit. It moves in.
How We Cope: Here’s what my chat with the therapist shared with me:
Get curious about your anxiety. Is it situational? Generalized? Triggered by the holidays, deadlines, or existential dread? Naming it is the first step.
Breathe. Seriously. Deep breaths in for 4 counts, hold for 7, out for 8. It's like rebooting your mental computer.
Find outlets. Music is therapy. Gardening is therapy. Writing is therapy. It's all about how you use it.
Set boundaries. Phones, emails, obligations—turning off the noise matters. Try a no-Wi-Fi coffee break or a “Do Not Disturb” evening.
Talk it out. Therapy isn’t just for “other people.” Whether with a professional, a friend, or that journal you’ve been ignoring, letting it out helps lighten the load.
Celebrate small wins. Made it through a tough day? Didn’t spiral during that meeting? High-five yourself (metaphorically or literally). Progress deserves acknowledgment.
We’re heading into the whirlwind of the holidays and the end-of-year crunch. If anxiety’s been riding shotgun, now’s a good time to grab the wheel.
Whether it’s booking a real therapy session with a professional, committing to better sleep, or finally learning to say “no” to that party you really don’t want to go to, choose one thing. Just one.
Because anxiety doesn’t have to define your story.
Let’s kick it out of the driver’s seat and reclaim the ride.
After all, you’ve got better passengers to pick up. 🚗✨
THE PROFESSIONAL: Channeling Your Inner Maverick at Work
Something that always surprises me? How much people complain about their jobs. 😟
Sure, not everyone has the luxury of options, and switching roles is easier said than done. But...
🌀 The minute my job starts feeling like Groundhog Day, it’ll be my last day in that job. Same meetings. Same outcomes. And the occasional leftover donut 🍩 that somehow tastes like disappointment? No thanks. 🙅♂️
Workplace routines can feel stifling. Conformity often rules the roost 🐓, but what if you could:✨ Harness your inner rebel—not for chaos, but for innovation, engagement, and a little fun? 🎉
That’s where "constructive rebellion" comes in. It’s how you:
🔥 Shake up your 9-to-5
💡 Fuel personal and organizational success
Embracing "constructive rebellion" is how you shake up your 9-to-5 and fuel both personal and organizational success.
🚨 Conformity Is Comfortable...But Costly
It’s the cozy blanket 🛌 of groupthink:✔️ Everyone nodding in unison❌ Even when the ideas are as stale as that aforementioned donut
Pressure to fit in—dressing the part, following outdated norms, or holding back ideas—can:
Leave employees disengaged 💤
Keep businesses stuck in yesterday’s playbook 📖
Prevent teams from reaching their potential
🎯 Why Rebels Drive Success
Rebels aren’t just rule-breakers. They’re:
💥 Boundary-pushers
❓ Question-askers
🎨 Innovators
🔄 Status-quo disrupters
Done right, rebellion fuels creativity and growth:
🖥️ Think Steve Jobs reimagining the PC
✈️ Southwest Airlines turning safety speeches into stand-up routines
The key? Constructive nonconformity.
Breaking norms to build something better—not just for the thrill of it.
💡 Unleash the power of rebellion, channel your inner maverick at work, and start today:
Be Authentic – It’s a Productivity Boost. When you bring your true self to work, you’re happier, more engaged, and likely to outperform the cookie-cutter version of yourself. Research shows authenticity boosts job satisfaction and performance reviews. Whether it’s injecting humor into presentations or finding unconventional solutions, owning your uniqueness is your superpower.
Challenge the Norms – Diplomatically. Constructive rebellion isn’t about storming into meetings with a megaphone (tempting as that sounds). It’s about asking questions like, “Why do we do it this way?” and offering alternatives. Think of it as productive piracy.
🤝 Leaders foster the rebel spirit. If you want a team that’s dynamic, innovative, and engaged, you need to create a safe space for rebellion. How:
Mix it up: Rotate tasks to keep things fresh.
Celebrate individuality: Encourage employees to approach projects their way, as long as the goals are clear.
Embrace novelty: New ideas can’t emerge in old frameworks. Shake things up, even if it’s just rethinking that weekly meeting format.
When leaders model this behavior, it’s contagious. Employees feel empowered to bring their whole selves to work—and that’s where the magic happens. ✨
🚀 Rebellion in the workplace isn’t about anarchy; it’s about authenticity and adaptability.
Whether you’re challenging outdated processes or introducing new ideas, stepping outside your comfort zone can ignite both personal and organizational success.
The next time you feel stuck in a loop of conformity, remember: The most transformative ideas often come from those who dare to ask, “Why not?”
And hey, if your workplace isn’t ready for your rebel energy, it might be time to find one that is.
THE PROMO: Blueprinting the Future
💥 TODAY (and tomorrow, on replay...) The future of retail & commerce media will be community-powered 💥 Join me and industry experts Jill Cruz (Publicis Groupe), Alex Gardner (Index Exchange), and Elizabeth Neubauer-Donovan (Marriott Media Network) for The Brand Blueprint for 2025 webinar! 🚀
Give us 30 minutes, and we’ll arm you with insights to thrive in 2025!
📅 December 4th, 1 PM ET. Save your spot (It’s FREE)
THE PRACTICAL: Human Adaptation to Accelerated Artificiality 🧠
The AI revolution isn’t just knocking on our doors — it’s already rearranging the furniture in the house! 🏠✨
From reshaping job markets 💼 to influencing national infrastructure 🏗️, AI’s impact is unfolding in real-time.
📰 Headlines Shout Doom, But... while we hear about job loss 📉 and deepfakes 👻, a smarter story is emerging:Adaptability and human-centric approaches are taking center stage.
🐘 The Elephant in the Room: AI is shifting the job market:📊 Recent stats show declines in:
📝 Writing: -30% job postings
🎨 Graphic design: -17%
💻 Software development: -20%
Why? Generative AI like Claude, ChatGPT, and image tools are replacing tasks traditionally handled by freelancers and employees.
But here’s the twist: New jobs are emerging! 🚀
Roles like “ChatGPT expert” (yes, that’s a thing!) are growing as businesses adapt to this new era.
⚖️ AI Meets the Legal World: States like California are stepping up 🛑, passing laws to combat:
Generative AI misuse in elections 🗳️
Deceptive deepfakes spreading online
Platforms like Elon Musk’s eX-Twitter (aka X) are under fire 🔥 for enabling the spread of misinformation - which has ZERO to do with the First Amendment.
🌍 Big Ideas, Bigger Concerns: On a global scale, OpenAI is pitching bold ideas:
💡 AI economic zones
⚡ Nuclear-powered grids
They claim this could supercharge GDP 📈 and create new jobs. But critics are sounding alarms 🚨:
Environmental risks 🌱
Ethical concerns ⚠️
Potential monopolies 🤔
Oh, the irony: the same AI leaders are asking for government regulation... 🌀
But alas, there are practical takeaways for individuals and businesses:
Upskill for the AI Age:
Don’t wait to adapt—get ahead. Whether you’re a freelancer or part of a corporate team, learning how to use AI tools can make you indispensable. Platforms like Coursera and LinkedIn Learning offer AI and machine learning courses for all skill levels.
Embrace Human-Centric Strategies:
Businesses, take note: there’s growing demand for “real things” in a world inundated with AI. From human-written content to handcrafted goods, consumers are willing to pay more for authenticity.
Engage in the AI Conversation:
Stay informed about local and national policies around AI. Advocate for ethical AI usage in your industry and community. Awareness is the first step toward meaningful action.
Diversify Your Skill Set:
The age-old advice still holds true: diversify. Combine technical skills like coding or data analysis with “soft” skills like creativity and emotional intelligence. These uniquely human traits remain invaluable.
A Call to Action
AI’s role in reshaping our world is undeniable, but so is our ability to navigate this change with intention. Whether you’re an individual aiming to future-proof your career or a business striving to stay relevant, now is the time to act.
And please please please, don’t shy away from advocating for ethical, human-centric innovation. The machines might be learning fast, but humans? We’re still the masters of reinvention. 💡
THE POLITICAL: Tariffs Are No Free Lunch
Ah, the sweet satisfaction of “I told you so.” Maybe it’s a little premature, but this one’s bittersweet because the stakes? They’re high. 😬
Not even in office yet, but failed President and now President-elect Trump’s proposal to slap hefty tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China isn’t just a headline-grabber — it’s a direct ticket to:
💸 Higher prices
🤝 Strained trade relationships
⚠️ An economic domino effect
Not sure what chaos these tariffs could unleash? Let’s break it down, one avocado 🥑 and Nike sneaker 👟 at a time.
First off: What even is a tariff? Well if you’ve blanked on 8th-grade social studies (not me, Mr. Vanek!), tariffs are basically taxes on imports. And no, Mexico, Canada, or China don’t foot the bill. You do.
The cost increases get passed directly to consumers.Remember the $1.3 trillion worth of goods the U.S. imported from these countries last year? Now imagine that 25% more expensive.
The industries that’ll get hit the hardest:
🚗 Auto Industry -- Mexico sends $130 billion in vehicles and parts annually to the U.S.
Brands like Toyota and Honda rely heavily on these imports.
U.S. automakers like Ford and GM? They depend on intricate cross-border supply chains.
Tariffs mean Higher production costs, Fewer jobs, Steeper car prices
☕ Your Morning Coffee and OJ: Get ready to pay more for those breakfast staples.
👖 Clothing and Footwear: Budget-friendly brands like Levi’s and Nike?Expect sticker shock as retailers raise prices to offset tariffs.
🍷 Restaurants and Wine: Dining out? Brutal. Restaurants already operate on razor-thin margins, and wine tariffs could shatter their most profitable category. A $16 bottle could jump to $57 on your menu.
Canada's Retaliation
Canada, our second-largest trade partner, ships billions in aluminum, machinery, and CPG goods.Throw in a retaliatory tariff from our polite northern neighbors, and we’re looking at an economic hockey fight. 🏒
📱🧸 China’s Exports
China sends $426 billion worth of goods to the U.S., including electronics, toys, and semiconductors.A 10% tariff here doesn’t just hit luxury items — it disrupts everyday essentials like laptops and office supplies.
And for those clinging to the idea that tariffs protect American jobs? Think again.
Industries that rely on imports, like retail and manufacturing, will likely shed jobs just to survive.
Here’s the bigger picture: Experts estimate these tariffs could inflate personal consumption expenditures by nearly 1%. Translation?
💵 Your dollar stretches less.
📉 Businesses watch their profit margins shrink.
And retaliation from our trade partners? That could escalate into a full-blown trade war. 🌍
Don’t say I didn’t warn you. 🙃
THE PODCAST:
It's the biggest time of year for retail, we welcome Ashley Schapiro, VP of Marketing, Media, Performance & Engagement at American Eagle Outfitters.
Ashley shares:
👖 Why jeans are the secret to brand loyalty.
🌍 Lessons learned from opening 16 global markets at Coach.
😬 Her biggest career blunder (hint: pallets + oceans = chaos).
🎯 How to balance fast fashion trends and Gen Z’s fickle loyalty.
Plus, we tackled the evolution of TikTok, AI’s impact on marketing, and how retail is changing forever.
THE PROVOCATIONS: Other Things I Read & Like
For Prophets:
Alliances activated: Amazon and Anthropic - Amazon
Bluesky is hiring… and you might be it's next (first?) Community Mgr - JobsBoard
The Minecraft movie is coming to town! - YouTube
For Profits:
2024 Deloitte holiday retail survey - Deloitte
Twitter is throttling posts with links on the platform - Mashable
CTV accounts for almost half of all video ad views in Europe - PMW
For Pioneers
LinkedIn's algo prefers industry insights, career tips, business advice - LinkedIn
Publishers getting much higher traffic referrals from Bluesky - Threads
Amazon’s AI (it’s an LLM) can process images and videos - TheInformation
For Parents:
50% of fans form their fandom by age 14 -- Two Circles
Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate of all car brands - ISeeCars
22% of 8-to-17 y/o lie about their age on social media apps - Matt Navarra
For Pessimists
Science and synthetic sex pheromones: Does perfume work? -- WSJ
Walmart cowers from DEI programs in face of right-wing pressure - CNN
Avoid CMOs or VPs of Marketing who want to become the CRO - SaaStr
From Thanksgiving Thursday, to Black Friday, to Small Business Saturday… jumping ahead to Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday, it’s clear we need to do better for that skipped Sunday and today… What should we call this Wednesday? Let me know!
