Luck Favors the Bold

I’m making it my new mantra and why you should too.

I came across the term FOMO during my agency days when it was the talk of the PR firm I worked for. It drove everything, making people fear missing out on things, even if it was bad for their health or tiring. A Forbes article from 2023 discusses the negative aspects of this social phenomenon, but in this text, I want to explain how occasionally it's okay to let it guide you.

This is the third recent story where I can say that being at the right place at the right time led to some unique and interesting interactions.

If I hadn't taken the time to relax, I would have missed Chris Do's tweet, inviting people to hang out in NYC, which led to an afternoon meeting with two designers and a unique experience walking around the west side. I had the opportunity to meet not only a design superstar but also someone I view as a mentor.

If I hadn't taken ten minutes for myself, I would have missed the chance to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey with Brian Collins and the Collins Crew at the Museum of The Moving Image at the Kaufman Studios in Queens.

And last night, I would have missed Timothy Goodman's "Bad Decisions, Good Mistakes, One Night Art Show!"

A New Yorker in LA

As a New Yorker, I had the opportunity to attend a few Adobe events in the city through my agency. However, I always had a desire to attend Adobe Max, an event that was only held on the West Coast. Until last year, I couldn't make it happen. I visited the West Coast for the first time and attended Adobe Max to see my mentor speak. While filling up my calendar in my hotel room, I noticed Timothy Goodman's presentation on Thursday morning. I made it to the talk and was blown away by it. I wanted to buy his book, but the bookstore was closed, and when I finally got the chance, they were already sold out. It was an awesome event that I still reflect on today.

A New Yorker in NYC

It was an early January morning and my FOMO kicked in over a cup of coffee. I popped open my LinkedIn feed and I instantly recognized a sketch on my screen. Most people see something cool like it and keep it moving, without reading the post. I didn’t make that mistake. I read on and instantly dropped what I was doing to RSVP for a pop-up exhibit, one night only!
I was in and the excitement grew. I let it be and continued drumming away at work and doing what I do. In the blink of an eye the week had passed, but my son was sick, I had to quell the FOMO because I still have obligations. My wife looked at me and told me to go, and take great pictures. Its one of the reason why I love her so much. She has always supported me, she is the reason I was confident to go out on my own. I could never underestimate the power of a great cheerleader, every creative needs a few! I looked at her said thank you and prepared for the evening.

The studio was a stark contrast to the dark and empty streets of Chelsea. It was a bright white room with wood floors and rafters with thick black sketches all over the walls. I was surprised because I thought I would see a mural or some art pieces, but the room itself was the art. I was impressed with the creativity and brilliance of the design.

There was a lot of energy in the room, and it felt like the coolest lounge in the city. The music was seeping through the walls, and I could hear people dancing and talking. I started taking pictures and videos as I made my way towards the back of the room, where I grabbed a glass of white wine. Everyone had a copy of the book, and I bought the ebook to keep it sustainable.

It was a night to remember. The wall was huge, and it spanned the entire room. There were so many little gems that I focused on what was there.

#OneNightOnly

Last night I went out to the west side for the event. It was a chilly evening, and I was wearing my usual sustainable designer outfit - black Levi jeans, recycled material Converse, and a black American Apparel t-shirt. I started walking to the subway station, and within minutes, I realized that the trains were going to be a problem there and back. I knew it was going to be a late night. Being a New Yorker, navigating around was not an issue, but the trains were acting weird that night, maybe a precursor to the evening ahead.

Finally, I reached the studio and saw a line of people waiting outside. The energy around the place was buzzing, and I could feel the excitement in the air. I had to wait for twenty minutes before I could enter. People behind me were getting restless and leaving the line, but I was determined to get inside.

Have Your Seen Me?

I was at an event where the room was the artwork, a unique 27’ mural, an open bar, live DJ, jazz artists and a poetry reading were all on display. I had had three glasses of wine and was enjoying the walls of sprawling sketches flowing into one another. Just as the main speaker, Tim, was about to begin, a loud bang occurred. Someone had accidentally dropped a vase that was adorned with a vase in a sculpt of a woman’s mid-torso. Everyone stared in amazement, but luckily the vase was unharmed. However, the case it was in had shattered. People made comments about drinking too much, and the cleaning crew came out to clean up the mess. They took the vase and pedestal, and a security guard stood by a pair of shoes over my shoulder to prevent them from suffering the same fate.

Tim began the reading and thanked everyone for coming. He read a piece from his book and then began a new piece that he had been working on for the last month. It was unreleased poetry, and the night was filled with surprises. I started recording the new piece, and just as it was ending, the lights went out.

Everyone made a noise, and the lights suddenly came back on, but the shoes were gone! In their place stood the pedestal and case with a huge smash in the case, and the shoes were missing. Security scrambled to find them, and everyone was in disbelief. The night ended prematurely, and Tim's management team asked people to leave. I stayed behind and was able to get a signature and a photo with Tim before leaving.

It was an exhilarating night with a great vibe until an unfortunate incident occurred. This city never fails to surprise me. As I left the venue, I couldn't help but think about how this incident exemplifies the reason why FOMO (fear of missing out) exists and why creatives play an important role in shaping our society. Creatives develop messages that invoke creativity, and the fact that someone stole a pair of shoes at his own exhibit highlights the value of creativity. If this doesn't demonstrate its significance, I don't know what else could.

(On a side note, Timothy was cool and tall. Also, if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of those shoes, please contact Tim, his team, and/or the NYPD tips crimeline.)

FOMO NO MO

I walked to the train station in the cold, still amazed by everything I had just experienced. As I sent photos to my wife, she told me our son said, "Dad is living my best life," and I couldn't agree more. I feel more successful in my career than I have in over a decade, and I believe there are even greater things to come. With an incredible support system, I know that anything is possible.

People often associate FOMO, or fear of missing out, with negative feelings, but I believe it can be a good thing. As the saying goes, "Once is happenstance. Twice is a coincidence. Three times is a pattern." And that's exactly what happened to me. I took a chance, reached out, and was able to experience three amazing moments that I will cherish forever. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be uncomfortable, but keeping a positive mindset and an open mind can lead to great things.

I am grateful to my family for allowing me to live this kind of life, and to Timothy Goodman for creating another unforgettable memory. So, I encourage you to seize life by the horns and make the most of it!

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About The Writer

Brian is a sustainable graphic design and brand strategist passionate about creating positive change in the world through his work. With a strong background in print and digital design and experience in introducing A.I. systems, he is a tech enthusiast and a lover of comic books. Brian's specialization lies in sustainable design and draws inspiration from music and meditation.

His work has been featured in prestigious events and publications such as USA Today, NYFW, SxSW, CES and 100 Ideas that Changed Advertising, and he is dedicated to designing with the environment in mind. In his free time, Brian enjoys spending time with his family and two furry friends in Brooklyn. He is always eager to connect with others and collaborate on new projects.

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References & Links:
The Psychology Behind The Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) by Emily Laurence & Jeff Temple, Ph.D.

I Always Think It’s Forever by Timothy Goodman (hardcover)

I Always Think It’s Forever by Timothy Goodman (ebook)

NYPD Crimestoppers