Ben Thinking: Under pressure.

When you think perfection is the standard.

(Originally released 9.16.26)

Want to know a secret? Of course you do. We all do.

But this one is more for Gen Z. And, well, anyone else that needs to hear it:

I didn’t know what the hell I was doing or going to do when I went to college. (Or years two through five of college.)

Most people, didn’t. And don’t. Yet the reports say college students are feeling more pressure to be perfect than ever before.

Perfect? Um, I was trying to make sure I just remembered the last four of my social and could figure out the bus schedule.

Then again, I didn’t have the stress of the last 25 years. Or the last six. Or the last three.

And they do. They have all of it. So, while I can’t relate to feeling that amount of pressure at such a critical time in your life, I can relate to a feeling of being lost and not totally sure I knew what I was doing while everyone else around me seemed to (spoiler: they didn’t).

To those college students who may be reading this: I wish I knew the perfect thing to say to help you work through this pressure. But that’s not my field, and I’m no expert. What I can tell you is that fortunately there are experts who are able to give you the tools that help.

Today, most universities offer these resources. I would encourage you to take advantage of them. The feelings are real, the pressure is real…the expectation you put on yourself are not.

To everyone: Deep breaths. Take care of yourself, first. Because it’s wild out here, and we need all the help and all the reminders of that we can get.

Onto what I’ve ‘Ben Thinking’ about:

I’m bumping this up today…

This is supposed to be fun: Good creative is great when it escapes the screen.

This is so good. And I think I may be very, very jealous of that product training example. We need more of this in today’s digital-saturated channels. Because, yeah, this is supposed to be fun people!

“It seems things have gotten worse in a hurry.”

Never the pull quote you want to see when talking about how CEOs feel about the economy. The usual suspects (costs, tariffs, government policy) have popped up, once again peeing in our collective bowl of Cheerios.

But we can’t be surprised at this point, right? There’s a reason the no-normal movement is a thing. And why every self-help/mental wellness/business coaching podcast is counseling us on how to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.

At a certain point…don’t you have to pick a strategy and go? Waiting for things to become clear, stabilize, etc. isn’t a strategy with legs, teeth or any other body part. The time to move is now. That starts with knowing who you are (brand), where you want to go (target markets and new targets), how you’re going to get there (channel) and who’s going to get you there (employer brand).

Want to stabilize something? Want to control something? Start there, with the things you can.

I feel like I’m forgetting something. Oh right – all the info you actually need.

Ever see that “Seinfeld” where George’s boss goes into the bathroom stall, still talking about what he needs to do? George doesn’t realize he continued the conversation and has no clue what to do. (And hilarities ensue as he tries to figure it out!)

I guess we are all a little guilty of that when it comes to delegation. No, really…we are forgetting to pass on information critical to completing the assignment. The linked article is from StrategicCHR360 and definitely worth the read.

The motion in the red ocean.

(I am mixing two of my favorite business books here – Blue Ocean Strategy and Atomic Habits.)

I hate red oceans. Mainly because they remind me how much damage there is in trying to be like everyone else. Also, because they’re full of people going through the motions. You know the types – ‘I’m going to do this; I’m working on a plan for this; I’m looking forward to starting that’. In reality, as we learn in Atomic Habits, it’s all about action over motion. However, so many people opt to play it safe. It’s more comfortable to talk about what could happen than take action and risk that not happening.

Then I read this Fast Company article on why people play it safe. Turns out, it’s not our fault. Our brains are wired this way. We avoid social risk. Choose harmony over honesty.

There are ways to address this…but I have to warn you, they’re rooted in risk and admittedly, are a little scary. Read with caution.

Speaking of Atomic Habits…

The Leadership Freak blog does it again with it’s simple approach to leadership. It’s not about leadership…it’s about the skills that go into becoming a leader.

And you may be surprised…it all starts by shrinking the target and starting small.

Are you onboard? Are you sure? Here’s a lot more to read just to make sure.

Did you know the new employee receives an average of 13 pieces of onboarding literature in their first week on the job?

(You did not.)

Turns out 40% of it is worthless, according to those new employees. Stop worrying about checking the box. Start thinking about re-evaluating this process by auditing the employer brand all together.

8 questions to determine if your strategy is ambitious enough.

I loved this article. What a great piece to save and revisit if you want to shake yourself out of a rut, think bigger or different. My favorite? Question 7. Mainly because it’s something I ask myself a lot (and struggle to answer a lot).

Product pages are cool again.

Did they ever STOP being cool? No? Just me? Fine.

Well now you all HAVE to pay attention to them. AI says so.

And you thought content strategy was a thing of the past.

Before I go: It’s Suicide Prevention Month.

I thought it was important to call this out and share resources for people who may feel like they want to do something – anything – to help. And of course, if anyone is feeling like they need to talk to someone. Everything you need is right here.

A few Cliff Clavins for ya.

Ohio is one of the America’s best tipping states. We see the 15%...18% and go straight to the 20%. Even when we do all the work (looking at you Panera). Check out where your state ranks.
U.S. cookie sales are projected to hit $18.9B in 2026. Me think that crazy.

A few Ben Bruglers for ya.

Apparently Mark Zuckerberg is one of the most unpopular people in the world. And I have to ask…did we need a survey to determine that?
Sydney Bernice Sweeney has done it again. Love her, hate her; love her ads, hate her ads, she is choosing her products and brands wisely and the results speak for themselves every time. (Yep, that’s her real middle name. I looked it up.)

Thanks for reading!

Live life, love life!

-Ben