It is important to remember we are not the poem. People will react however they want; and if you write poetry, get used to no reaction at all. But that’s okay. … Don’t get caught in the admiration for your poems. It’s fun. But then the public makes you read their favorites over and over until you get sick of those poems. Write good poems and let go of them. Publish them, read them, go on writing.

~Natalie Goldberg, “Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within”

This quote was highlighted in an article I read earlier today by @bloghighed entitled, Your Logo vs Your Brand. Though not a new topic to discuss, the recent reactions to the new Strabucks logo have begged that the question be asked again: Is your logo your brand? Or, asked a different way - is your work, you? 

I had never heard of Goldberg’s book, and am not a writer myself, but I  enjoy what the quote and corresponding article says about the separation (or lack there of) of self and work… and the parallel to the separation of logo and brand. In a creative industry - or maybe it is this way within any industry - it can be difficult to separate criticism (and praise) of your work from criticism (and praise) of your person. You love my work, you must love me. You hate my work, you must hate me.

But, I am not my work - my work is just an aspect of me. And I would argue that the same is true for a brand - the logo is not a brand - just an aspect (all-be-it a vital one) of your brand. 

It is a thoughtful read for this snowy Thursday - and not just because of the “Who Let the Dogs Out”/bad pop song reference.