Do Something Big
I recently had the opportunity to do something I’ve always hoped to do–visit Africa. I visited for several reasons, but I think my biggest motivation was my belief that firms need to do work outside their “normal client” environment, especially when that work helps organizations that so desperately need it.
At Rule29, we do a mix of work for little or no fees. This makes my advisors nervous sometimes, but it’s this work that really makes us feel like we’re making a difference in the world. It’s a feeling that monetary compensation can’t create. Some of you may also do this type of work and hopefully you know the feeling – the feeling of helping the greater good. But like everything else, you need to make sure you keep it balanced. There have been times we’ve taken on so much complimentary work that it has hurt the productivity of our mainstream work. And that’s when you just need to back off. You can’t do any good for anyone if you run yourself into the ground.
Doing special work fuels your soul and most times, your creative desires. More often than not, you get creative freedom to let loose so the rewards are two-fold. At Rule29, this work has affected us by:
- Bringing us closer together as a studio
- Providing direct results of our work helping to save people
- Teaching us about “worlds” outside our own
- Changing the way I run my business…and my life.
Have you done this? What were your experiences—good or bad?
Best,
Justin
Justin Ahrens is founder and principal of Rule29, a creative firm located in the western suburbs of Chicago.