Simon Akers (FCIM CMktr, FRSA)’s Post

I've seen a lot of reflection posts and some wild aggrindising too. But I want to openly balance the scorecard, and share the word I'm using to summarise my overall 2024 - Exhaustion. On one hand there's been successes. Archmon has worked with great clients and agencies to deliver marketing & media consultancy, from research. strategy and training, to pitch support across the pond. I personally made a Top 100 Marketing Index, wrote for industry press, attended great events, spoken at 2 including the first ever Responsible Ads Summit. Worked from 6 countries including at another Cannes. Mentored 2 amazing young talents. I've grown another Front of Mind subscriber base. I'm also most proud to have co-founded NDIM - Neurodiversity in Media after starting concept almost almost 2 years ago, and with my awesome cofounder Jasmine and the squad have brought it to the world, to help industry employers embrace ND talent. All good. But it absolutely has not been plain sailing, In fact I'd proffer that the 2nd half of this year is the hardest period for work and new business since lockdown. Economically/sector-wise, a spate of senior redundancies versus diminishing opps has led to a land grab for consulting work, so adaption and a very Stoic focus has been key. Rates have dropped whilst costs absolutely haven't. Never worked so hard for new business, but it does make the wins sweeter, and I guess it adds great resolve and experience. Personally I hit a wall too; different things going on, I struggled with some stuff and being completely honest, spent a period falling out of love with the day job, and with the industry. Maybe it was ADHD driven burnout. Those who know me know how my enthusiasm and energy drives me and probably comes across hard, but even that dried up. Again, I took focus off it, and have worked out a way to reconcile and find joy again and be me. It shook me, and it has made me think about being true to self and energy. I am heading into 2025 with a bit of a left-field approach. I do travel a lot with work/while working, but from Boxing Day I am basically away for over a month working remotely (well, from 6th Jan). Last week I put stuff in storage, and I am heading into the world and leaning into what I love to do. For the first time in my life, I am not certain what mid 2025 looks like, or indeed where. I have a couple of ideas and will become clear, but I guess that is what great, adaptive strategy looks like ;) Just wanted to share that and reflect. The journey of self employment suits me, my values and ways of working, with pros outweighing the cons for both my outputs and my overall wellbeing. But the cons are there, and not acknowledging that can create an unhelpful buildup and resentment. The rough with the smooth, that is the 2024 UK reality. As per the exhaustion, bar a couple of final client bits, I'm done. Wishing my friends, clients, partners and connections a great Christmas break, and see you in 2025!