It was explained to me by my teenage daughter this morning that “touching grass” didn’t mean you literally had to get into nature.
Yet, I have, for the last two weeks, been doing exactly that. Forcing myself to go for a walk in the morning, every day, into a local nature reserve which is about 30 minutes from my house.
When I started, it was novel, new things to see, to hear, to experience. The bird song, the dappled light through the trees. The joggers and parents with buggies. The trash left beside the bins. The community notice boards. The hand written bitly link on an information board about a japanese knotweed infestation. The dogs who come up to say hello. The variety of colours of paper cups people are holding, denoting their different preferences for cafes and coffee shops nearby.
And even within a few days, I’ve felt my ability to focus on things improve, and almost a sense of renewed drive. Ask me in another week if it lasted.
In many ways, I miss the commute when I was office based. Having a block of time on the train for 30-60 minutes where I read. A clear distinction between home and work, and then work and home. It was a useful marker to switch mental states.
So, for me, who works from home almost always, this little walk is my commute.
From the blurry eyed morning matthew, via the coffee shop, through the greenery where’s there’s no mobile signal, and then arriving at the office - which is still home, but perhaps with a new mindset.
No-one tells you how many of your own systems and structures you have to put in place when you go solo. It seems obvious: get outside for some fresh air. But if you’re running the whole business yourself, it’s easy to put clients and projects ahead of the basics.
So if you haven’t already this week, go touch some grass.
Literally.
Matthew
We’re hosting our next OP huddle on April 9th 10:30am UK time, with double-bill Show&Tell session.
Nabila Richardson will be talking about her podcast in development, and is looking for input on the concept.
Selicia Richards-Turney will be sharing a cultural intelligence tool she’s built to support the students on her courses.
There will be open discussion as a group, so come along, and meet some fellow community members.
» Register here to join the session.
Our good friend Chris Arning is hosting an upcoming event for Outside Perspective members next week. A experimental meet up for OP members to get a sense of how semiotics can contribute to strategy.
What sort of methodologies do you use to really get to grips with a brand you’re working on, a category you need to research or when you need to better understand changing culture?
The session will focus on leaving strategists with a sense of how semiotics might be useful. Running from 10am (meet up at 9.30am for networking and to get refreshments).
Every week, we introduce a member of the community - this week, NY based Strategy Lead and Founder at Barrier Studios, Mani Schlisser.
👋 Hi, I’m Mani, founder of barrier studios.
I spent the last 11 years inside New York City based ad agencies in various strategy roles. Today, I specialize in providing creative-led comms planning services directly for agencies and brands.
I’m most proud of branching out on my own and securing clients like JPMorgan Chase and Duolingo. I was always told to be motivated by awards and headlines, but creating something that’s truly mine is my most recent rewarding piece of work.
Great work comes from a few talented, ambitious people sitting in a room. Not thousands of people. Not AI or big data or massive holding companies. Just a few people who give a shift respecting each other and marching towards the same goal.
Reading: Salem’s Lot by Stephen King
Listening: Acquired’s F1 episode
Watching: Every YouTube video on how to be a good parent (my wife is 7+ months pregnant)
» Connect with Mani in the community, or over on Linkedin
Adrian reminded us of his writings over on Electro this week. Great collection of frameworks, reframings, and provocations for an uncertain world.
» I’ve been reading and re-reading this piece from Zoe about the future of talent in the advertising and marketing industry.
» OK COOL’s Annie House on being niche.
» Clean Creatives have published new insights into the how the fossil fuel industry (and its agencies) have shifted their narrative, and continue to manipulate public understanding - thanks Ellie. And further coverage from here.
» New data from The Enterpreneurs Network about the perceptions from business owners in the UK.
» Brain cells in a petri dish are playing DOOM, AI is in our dating apps, and hiring humans to do their grunt work. What a world.
» Food trends for Expo West - thanks Moshe
» Next Insights and Strategy coworking day is on April 13, in London
A digest of recent gigs found and shared via our community - plus things from our friends and partners. Want to reach 5k+ strategists for your next project? Drop me a note.
💛 [UK] Our friends at Stitchy are looking for freelance comms / social strategists with strong brand and marketing science knowhow
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20260318-stitchy.html
[NL:Amsterdam] freelance mid-level strategist with exp in research at Fieldwork
https://bit.ly/47X5wfw
[UK:London] Freelance Strategy Director (12mo) at RAPP
https://bit.ly/4t0zDuR
[UK:London] freelance comms / social strategists with strong brand and marketing science knowhow at Stitchy
https://outsideperspective.co/gigs/20260318-stitchy.html
[UK] Freelance Shopper Strategist at Publicis
https://bit.ly/4rGuc37
[US] Strategy Open Call at TRIPTK
https://bit.ly/4cS12Kx
[UK] Creative Strategist with Experiential/Event experience at anon
https://bit.ly/4sSc0Vb
[UK] Freelance Brand Strategy Director for a small indie agency specialising in brand activations, fan culture & partnerships. via unknown
https://bit.ly/4rDx7tn
[UK] Freelance Brand Strategist via Talent Studio
https://bit.ly/4sJhame
[UK] [PERM] digital strategist with paid media exp at Hynt
https://bit.ly/4uANMR8
[FR] Freelance Senior Strategic Planner, french speaking, with retail exp at Amazon
https://bit.ly/4sfLhlB
Don’t forget, we share these in real time here:
» Web
» Telegram
» Whatsapp
+ and of course, our slack channel if you’re a community member.
That’s all for this week.
mk✌️
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