Ones to Watch 2017: inspiring quotes and takeaways

Ones To Watch has come to an end, with its third and final session ending with not one but 6 amazing speakers.

And it wasn't just the attendees who came out inspired, but also The Marketing Society team who had the pleasure of working on the fantastic programme.

Here are the quotes we found particularly inspiring and what you can take away from them into your working life. 

"Are you spinning or are you winning?" - Gemma Greaves

We all know how hard it can be to prioritise and think clearly when there are a hundred thoughts running through your head. Greaves stresses how important it is to sit back, breath and take a moment to be present, in order to have presence.

One way to stop your brain from ‘spinning’, is through meditation. According to Men’s Health Magazine, even a brief introduction to meditation can improve your cognitive performance by 50% and reduce stress by 31%. Quick wins.

“Don’t be a mechanic, be a gardener” - Jim Carroll

In order to cultivate success, you need to plant and nurture ideas, tend relationships and help your colleagues and business grow.

A mechanic on the other hand fixes things, or more specifically machines. Unlike machines, people don’t want to be fixed or controlled but inspired and empowered. Use this mentality when you lead, to create an environment of growth.

“Be simple, be brave, be yourself” - Nigel Bogle

This statement is so obvious that it is often over-looked, over-complicated or just gone amiss. But Bogle explained why it’s important to be simple, brave and yourself, clearly and concisely:

• Simplicity clarifies, the complex confuses.
• To be brave you need to know yourself.
• Being you is brave.

“Have a vision. Where do you want to be?” - Dominic Grounsell

If I were to ask you what is your vision for 1 year, 5 years or 10 years, would you know? It’s only when you have a vision and a plan of action, you can begin to align your goals and begin to execute what you want from life.

To create a vision, you need to identify your purpose and envision where you want to be in the future. Whether that’s just next year or in 10 years’ time. And make your vision, clear, concise and realistic.  Grounsell says ‘To be a CMO is not specific enough, think of a sector, brand and culture.’ Your vision needs to embody your core values and passions, without being too generic.

 “Don’t manage your time, manage your energy” - Lisa Gilbert

How many times have you thought, ‘there’s just not enough hours in the day’? But our productivity has more to do with our energy than how many hours we can squeeze out of a working day. Tasks that should take minutes can mount up to hours; Giving your brain time to process and think is necessary to getting work done effectively.

The 3 key ways to manage your energy are:

• Prioritising getting better quality sleep at night and taking sufficient breaks during the day.
• Identify the most important challenges for the day and make those your priority, scheduling a times to focus on these without distractions.
• Set aside ‘me-time’. Use your breaks to renew your mind and body, whether that’s from going to the gym, going outside for a walk or reading your favourite book.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help”- Craig Inglis

We like to be perceived as all-knowing so people can shy from asking from help, in fear of seeming weak or unknowledgeable. Which in a board room or meeting with peers and seniors, can be rather intimidating. But how can you grow, if you inhibit yourself from learning?

Below, Steve Jobs explains why asking for help is ‘what separates the people that do things from the people that just dream about them’.

“80% of our lives are spent on autopilot” - Chris Barez-Brown

You wake up, make the bed, get changed and grab an Americano. Without thinking twice you get on the 7:28am train, without looking at the platform signs you get off at your stop and before you know it you’re sat at your desk reading your emails. It is estimated that over 80% of our waking time is spent on autopilot; From your daily tasks at work to cooking dinner with your partner, letting life fly by without really connecting and engaging with it

Stop. When you realise you are on autopilot, take a moment to pause, breath and think about the activity you’re doing in order to be more present and get more from life.

Download his app Wake Up!, to capture and track the moments when you feel most conscious, inspired and alive.

The app is free to download on Apple and Android.

By Orianna Rosa Royle, Digital Assistant at The Marketing Society.

To enquire or for more information about The Ones To Watch programme please email Alanna or call +44 208 973 1360 .