What TV Commercial Breaks Can Teach Us All
- Page Fehling
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
Is it summer? Is it fall? Is it school season? Is it still margarita-on-a-Tuesday season?
Unclear.
In Casa Fling, we’ve got almost two weeks left of summer break, which puts us in that weird limbo where the backpacks are purchased, the sunscreen is still sticky on every surface, and I’m both excited for routine and also low-key grieving the end of slow mornings and chlorine-scented kids.
Some of you are already back in the school swing. I see your lunch-packing Instagrams. I respect your hustle. And I raise you three loads of laundry, five proposals to write, and trying to book a last-minute beach trip like I'm escaping the law.
Speaking of trying to get out of dodge... that reminds me of the time, back when I was still working in TV, that I exited the anchor desk for a commercial break... BEFORE the actual commercial break. Ooops.
Spoiler alert: it was not smooth.
Spoiler #2: it is very on brand for me
You can watch it below. Don't worry. It's only a 14-second clip:
Which brings us to this helpful little metaphor: we all need commercial breaks.
Sometimes we need to walk off set, awkward timing and all, and just breathe. We need to take vacations, even imperfect ones. We need to take staycations... even if they turn into laundry marathons. We need to take walks on our lunch breaks armed only with a podcast and the hope that no one texts for the next 30 minutes.
Just because summer ends doesn’t mean our need for breaks does.
In fact, as we dive into the back-to-school hustle AND Q3 chaos, breaks might be even more important.
Schedule them. Protect them. Respect them for yourself and others even if their breaks involve watching "Love Island" because c'mon, YOU KNOW YOU'RE CURIOUS what the hype is all about too.
Here’s to a strong finish to summer, a soft landing into school season, and well-timed commercial breaks… both planned and not.
See you next month for another tip to help you hear and be heard, but let’s not be strangers between now and then, k?
Here are some ways to connect (and get lots of free content) between now and then:
And of course you know I’d always love to work with you and your people. If you’re ever looking for a keynote speaker or corporate training, just let me know the details here:
Thanks for being here and thanks for working at getting on the same page with the people in your life. We're all in this together!
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