"I do soul searching every single day. It's not taking weeks of vacation somewhere - it's just a constant process in life." - Itir Eraslan

A deep dive into Itir Eraslan's remarkable journey from textile engineering in Turkey to founding her own marketing agency in New York. 

The conversation explores her 20-year tenure at Nike, the courage to leave corporate life, and her philosophies on time, discipline, and personal growth. Itir shares intimate insights about how losing her father shaped her approach to life and career decisions, while also discussing her balanced perspective on AI in marketing. Her unique approach to structuring work days - working seven days a week but with intentional breaks and mindful practices - offers a fresh perspective on work-life integration. 

The episode also delves into her thoughts on the future of marketing, the role of traditional advertising, and how maintaining a balanced view of technological advancement helps navigate industry changes.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Taking your chosen path seriously is crucial, even if that path might change later
• True discipline is rare and essential for entrepreneurial success
• Recognizing when a role no longer fits ("a small jacket") is key to professional growth
• Soul searching should be an ongoing process, not just a one-time event
• Working alone requires both strong self-discipline and clear boundaries
• Loss and mortality can be powerful motivators for making conscious life choices
• Success in marketing requires balancing expertise with openness to new tools like AI
• Breaks and mindfulness are essential even when working extensively
• Personal trauma and life experiences shape professional decisions more than we realize
• The ability to work alone and maintain discipline are crucial entrepreneurial traits

Mindful Creative: How to understand and deal with the highs and lows of creative life, career and business

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