One of the themes that kept coming up at every agency that I visited was failure. Everyone had a story about a mistake that they made or a roadblock that they had to overcome. Interestingly, I found that people who held executive positions at agencies had the most experiences to share. Matt Eastwood, the Global Chief Creative Officer for McCann Health is a perfect example. When you meet a person like that, it’s natural to wonder how they wound up being so successful. The answer? Taking L’s and being tirelessly resilient. Throughout his career, he has been fired twice, worked on three continents, and gambled on new job opportunities. His success has not been linear, and yours won’t be either. The key is not letting failure affect your mindset. The tough times are beneficial. Passion helps you survive.  

If you have big dreams for your career, you have to take big risks. You have to not be afraid to make mistakes. No one expects you to be perfect or to know everything. Always ask for help. Learn from your mistakes. And most importantly, laugh your way through.

Taylor Kissinger | 05.19.19