Lessons learnt from Hello Ambassador 2015

It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of continuous personal and professional development, I thrive on opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone and expose me to new ways of thinking. So when Ands proposed we go up to Joburg for a weekend of creative food for thought I jump right onto the Hello Ambassador website and made sure I was one of those early birds.

Hello Ambassador is an annual festival held in Joburg for Creatives by Creatives. The festival, now in it’s third year, featured inspiring and insightful talks by industry experts from a variety of creative disciplines. In addition to this mind blowing musicians, beat boxers and break dancers entertained us during the lunch time street festival.

I came away from the festival feeling inspired, pushed to aim higher and confident knowing that anything is possible. There were many lessons learnt over the two days but today I thought I’d share a few of my favourite with you…

If you want it badly enough you’ll make the time

With a 3 month old baby and a full time job Lauren Beukes still found the time to research and write a best selling novel. As she says “success is 10% talent, 10% luck & 80% bloody-minded determination”

Never let your location limit you

“Just ’cause I live in a shack, doesn’t mean that my mind is shaped like a shack”– The African Cypher by Fly on the wall. Letting your location limit you is like letting time limit you. You. have. a. choice! If the opportunities aren’t there get out of your comfort zone and make them. With that said I’ve noticed an opportunity us KZN folks are missing out on so I’ve decided to add it to my 2016 goal list and make it happen for us… watch this space!

Always work like you are the best

Whether you’re the cleaner, assistant or creative director always act as if you are the best at what you do. ‘Be a beginner, Act like a pro’ – William Struwig (Publicis Machine)

Everything is in the detail

Days later and I’m still mesmerised by the wise words from Pepe Marais of Joe Public, hands down the best talk of the whole festival! Sweat the small stuff was in amongst all of his wise words as it’s what gets you to a new level of excellence. It’s the small things, that you can sometimes think are insignificant that make the biggest of differences. A point I’ve noted for the KZN opportunity coming in 2016.

Find a partner in creation

I got into the car on Sunday morning feeling both mentally and physically exhausted, secretly wishing the 5 plus hour drive home would consist of me staring out the window day dreaming of life but who was I fooling, my partner in creation was sitting right next to me! We rapped about about our businesses, goals, visions, ideas and the highs and lows of Hello Ambassador, it was the perfect way to end a long weekend of creative inspiration.

You don’t need a f*** off budget to create amazing things

I noticed this theme throughout the festival, from the first tasty Nando’s theme to the Brother’s for Life #hivarmy advert, which by the way you have to watch – such a powerful message created with a next to nothing budget. Great things come from being bold, taking risks, thinking out of the box and most important of all being CREATIVE!

Aim to change the world

‘Instead of throwing stones, rather use those stones & build something’ – Pepe Marais
During the festival I found myself wiping tears away on several occasions, blown away by the time, money and kindness that these creative speakers were putting out into the world. They all believed that it was very easy to help people and that it took nothing away from you. Making a difference in one persons life can have a ripple effect to go on to change the world. What difference are you making in the world?

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Lastly I have be biased and say I live in one of the most amazing countries in the world, the creative spirit of South Africa is alive with such possibilities!