Tools of the Trade is a feature aimed at highlighting the many tools that contribute to the success of advertising and marketers. Tools can be anything that helps people be at the top of their game, from a favorite drawing table to the best software to a lucky pen to a vintage typewriter to a pair of headphones.
The next step is Jeff Maggsmanaging partner of the Brunner agency.
What tool do you use all the time at work and how does it inspire your work?
The tool I use all the time for my work is not actually at work. This is the weightlifting tool. Weightlifting, and earlier in my career, competitive powerlifting, has been a tool that has inspired me to be strong, resourceful, intensely competitive, bigger than I actually am, and to carry a little chip on my shoulder in my professional career. I’ve worked with challenger brands and at agencies, like Brunner, that are themselves challenger brands for my entire 40+ year career, because I love beating the big dogs. I always believed that I had to try harder, surpass myself and my competitors. I visualize the lift before it happens, just like I visualize great potential creative and business ideas coming to life in my brain before I even put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard.
Why is this your favorite?
Weights are my favorite tool because they serve as a releasing mechanism and a place where I can allow all of the physical and emotional strength to come together in a single movement or lift. It opens my mind and allows me to focus on what’s possible or the next goal, rather than wasting time thinking about what I can’t do or what’s not possible. This is my favorite because people who don’t understand the weightlifting tool actually think it’s for “meat heads or muscle heads”. I’ve actually experienced some of my most beautiful and impactful reflections in this space, because I’m far from an “idiot.”
How did you acquire your tool or first hear about it?
Since I was very young and small, I was never afraid of a fight or a challenge despite my small size. Weightlifting gave me confidence and strength, both mental and physical.
How does this help you succeed?
By minimizing the fear of failure, weightlifting empowers me to try to do more than one would think possible without allowing people or situations to limit my potential. This has helped me help Brunner, other businesses, and my clients become bigger than they ever thought possible. Dream big and win.
Does it have sentimental value?
Weightlifting has more than just sentimental value, it is part of my core philosophy and helps define my “why” in life. I wouldn’t be me without it.
Do you think your tool could go viral on TikTok?
It’s possible and probably already is.
We want to know what tools you use to succeed. If you would like to contribute or know someone who would like to be featured in Tools of the Trade, contact [email protected] and fill our investigation.
