Author: Howard Saunders
I may sound arrogant but since everything turned upside down in early 2020 I’ve learnt so much more about who and what I am and WHY I’M BETTER THAN YOU, so I’ve decided to be more honest with myself, as well as with those around me. Everything has changed, there’s no doubt about that, and […]
I may sound arrogant but since everything turned upside down in early 2020 I’ve learnt so much more about who and what I am and WHY I’M BETTER THAN YOU, so I’ve decided to be more honest with myself, as well as with those around me.
Everything has changed, there’s no doubt about that, and lockdowns really made us re-evaluate our priorities.
For example, I’m lucky that I can work from home, so I was able to enjoy more time with my family and get to know my local area for once.
I enjoyed having stuff delivered to be honest. Some days I had so many deliveries it felt like it was Christmas as I’d forgotten what I’d ordered most of the time. (Good job delivery drivers and supermarket staff can’t work from home though, haha!).
I do enjoy my work, but I must say, it’s been nice not having to get up at 6am every morning. There’s no way I’ll go back to doing that every day.
So yes, it’s fair to say I’ve changed considerably and have a much better understanding of what life is really about, and how I compare with others.
Education
It’s not like I went to school wearing a top hat or anything but I like to think I had a decent enough education.
My Comp was ok I guess, but I did have a great group of friends and they teach you everything you need to know in terms of how to survive normal life, so I’ve always felt pretty well prepared.
To be honest, I find the sort of people who’ve had a so-called ‘proper’ education pretty hopeless when it comes to real life, don’t you think?
Social Media
I use it every day yes, but I don’t post my every waking moment on Facebook or Instagram, that’s for sure. And I certainly wouldn’t say I’m addicted.
I only really use it to keep in touch with old friends, from school and that.
Some of them, literally, post every blinking meal and every time they step out the front door, and I hardly ever do that!
Oh, and my TikTok videos are just for laughs really, although I do get quite a few likes.
Lifestyle
I’m not fanatical about it but I do try different diets on and off, like cutting down on meat or sugar for a bit.
I’m pretty good at sticking to the rules, mostly, but when I go out with my friends, like on a Friday night after work, all that good intention goes out the window, I’m afraid.
But I work hard, so I think that’s fair enough.
I’m definitely not sedentary all day so I’m reasonably fit I reckon, although I do have a weakness for carbs. I do love my pasta.
If pressed I’d say I was an ‘everything in moderation’ type. That’s pretty good isn’t it?
The Pandemic
I’m sick of hearing about it to be honest but it was scary, certainly at the beginning.
Last year I used to pass the shopping to Dad on the end of a broom handle for god’s sake! But you can’t go on like that forever can you? I wouldn’t say I was terrified but it certainly was worrying.
Still is! I do wear a mask when I have to, because like Tesco says ‘every little helps!’
Some of the rules do seem crazy though, like it’s ok to take it off when you’re sitting in a restaurant but not when you go to the loo.
I’m sure those in charge know what they’re doing though, don’t they?
It was shocking to see those pictures though.
The hordes of people on the beaches, at the football and those festivals, none of them wearing a mask!
Ridiculous at a time like this.
I mean, I enjoy a good time along with the best of them, but I guess some people are just born irresponsible.
The Environment
Yes, it’s very worrying.
It’s obvious something has to be done, isn’t it?
I mean, something’s changing what with all those fires in Greece and California and everywhere.
Seems like there’s extreme weather events happening somewhere every day now. And yes, I accept I might have to pay more tax, if it will help.
But frankly, if the super rich just paid their fair share, instead of hiding it away in all these offshore banks, that would be probably solve it, wouldn’t it?
I mean, they’re flying all over the place in their private planes and stuff and yet, you wait, it’ll be ordinary, hard working people like me who’ll have to foot the bill.
Pay your fair share, that’s all I ask.
All in all I think I do my bit, certainly more than most. I recycle everything possible, and wash everything before it goes in the blue bin, which is more than most people.
I use those hessian carrier bags as often as I can and try and buy the most sustainable things at the supermarket.
Local produce whenever it’s available, but it’s not always easy.
Too many people out there openly throw their rubbish on the street like they don’t give a damn.
Incredible really, but some people actually leave their old mattresses and fridges up by the heath, believe it or not.
It’s completely unacceptable, frankly. Disgusting actually. Something should be done about it.
I love nature and always feel properly recharged when I get out into the country.
It’s a very special feeling that’s hard to explain so I can’t really believe what humans are doing to this planet, to be honest.
That’s what my tattoo is trying to say I suppose: my emotional connection to Mother Nature, if you like.
No, I’m definitely not religious though I would consider myself much more spiritual than I used to be.
There’s so much we don’t know about, don’t you think?
Hospitality
When we go out, yes if I’m honest, I want to be treated with respect.
I mean I work hard for my money and wherever I decide to spend it, whether it’s in a restaurant or a clothes shop, then I want to be treated like it really matters, not like I’m just another customer.
Especially when I’ve been before.
They should welcome you back properly and be grateful for your business, don’t you reckon?
The Future
I don’t think things will go back to normal for quite a while yet.
When they do I’ll definitely be going on holiday…masked up if I have to! All in all I think I’m pretty lucky.
I don’t do the lottery very often but if I did win I’d spend the money wisely, not like most of them you read about.
I’m not being funny, but I definitely think I have some hidden talents, as yet untapped haha! Time will tell, I suppose.
I do like the idea of having children someday, but I don’t think it’s fair to bring kids into this messed up world at the moment, so we probably won’t.
You don’t need to be stuck in a traffic jam or travel on the tube at rush hour many times before you realise there’s simply too many of us on this planet, for god’s sake.
Some people are still having, like, five kids and it’s not a good look is it? You know what I mean?
Finally
Yes, all things considered I think I am probably better than most people.
I don’t mean to sound big headed or anything but I’m probably more hard working, a bit more thoughtful, more balanced perhaps than most people I know. Just being honest.
I am everyman and everywoman.
I am your neighbour, your work colleague, the shop assistant you just thanked and even that couple standing at the bar over there.
A brand new blend of caution and entitlement.
I am the masked narcissist, your preening, dancing, digitally distanced TikToker.
I am the strange lovechild of Homo-Trepidatious and Homo-Narcissus.
The vast majority of your customers…and your staff.
You’ll be getting to know me very well indeed as I intend to stick around for the rest of this decade at least. Catch you later!
Now that we’ve established that I’m better than you, please follow me on Twitter @retailfuturist for daily insights and musings.
Contact Us at WeSpeak Global and follow us on Twitter
Author Profile
No results available
ResetThe articles, video and images embedded on these pages are from various speakers and talent.
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by WeSpeak Global.
What do you do if you hate your job? You have three options: you can stay and suffer, you can look for a new job, or you can change the way you view your work. The best choice is to focus on yourself and what makes you happy. This way, even if you’re still at […]
Killing Fish – A freedivers take on spearfishing from Hanli Prinsloo who is an inspirational and motivational sustainability keynote speaker in Cape Town. ‘STRAIGHT SHOOTER’ (First published in DIVESITE Issue 3, 2011 with photographs by Roger Horrocks, Jean Marie Ghislain and Jean Treason – please read updated thoughts at bottom of article.) It was a choppy […]
What many people don’t realize is that they can actually Make Your Own Luck, by changing their beliefs about themselves and what will happen in their lives. This sounds absurd, but it makes a lot of sense once you understand the logic behind it all. People tend to think that luck is something that is out […]
Unfolding everywhere around us to Disrupt or die as Duncan Wardle was featured in an article and video on NBR a couple years back. I made a prediction then, and we’re already seeing evidence of that prediction Duncan Wardle likes the Walt Disney quote: “It’s kinda fun to do the impossible.” He knows more than […]
Some people see the glass as half full, others see it as half empty, but I just gulp it down and ask for more Optimistic During Setbacks. Life is a smorgasbord, and even though some servings are tough to swallow, you need to power through it in order to enjoy dessert. Enough with the food […]
#NoMatterWhat is a system to get results regardless of outside circumstances. A set of 5 practices to create transformational growth for people, organizations and companies. The world is more uncertain and more unpredictable than ever. We have a pandemic, civil unrest, tech disruption, misinformation and still brutal competition and more customer, community and family demands […]
While The Future of Optimization has permeated our culture at large, it is Gen Z that has grown up in era when technology has enabled them to optimize everything from their sleep and their workouts to their study habits and even their intellect. Last year, I interviewed executives who work in the vitamin division of […]
When the Chief Marketing Officer mentions brand values in the boardroom they can be treated with disdain and Why your brand needs values. Eyes roll. Disparaging glances are passed. Brand marketing mumbo jumbo. Nothing could be further from the truth. Brand values are important. They are powerful brand assets. This post explains why. Values influence […]
No results available
ResetOur Mission
© All rights reserved 2024. Created using VOXEL THEME
1902 Wright Place, Carlsbad, CA, 92008