by Areti Vassou
Tell us Your Story
Has been quite an adventure! Being around so memorable people for Ideadeco’s Interviews I had the pleasure to discover stories and accomplishments that have literally changed my life. Some of the questions have made them smile, others have made them think a bit longer, but the same question made all of them take a deep breath of long silence. That would be question number 9.
“What would you do if you knew you were going to die in 6 months?”
As expected it was the cornerstone for oops-maybe-it-is-a-bad-idea moments for everyone, including myself, too. It was less about discomforts and more about readiness to face this basic truth in public. Everyone politely asked if they could skip number 9. Apparently, with some extra waiting time, they were ready to answer it under one condition: “Areti, I want to hear your response, in this!!!”
A promise is a promise. Here are my answers… Enjoy the ride!
October 2017
Ideadeco Interview Questions
1.What’s your favorite song?
My favorite music is by Chopin. Complete Nocturnes…. especially Op. 9, No. 2 in E flat major, Andante.
I started music lesson just to be able one day to play this on the piano. Piano lessons were part of my classical music studies during my younger years. In my twenties, jazz saxophone and cello kept me company all over my travels. Now in my forties, I can honestly say how much I miss my cello but due to a health issue, it is not possible to hold the bow. Still, I get the same butterflies every time I hear a cello, like the very first time I lay my hands on it.
2.What was the last gift you gave someone?
This morning I gave as a gift an iPad to my sister just because she needed one for her Law Studies.
3.What’s your favorite social media network, and why?
Instagram is my favorite social media network by far. I like the fact that people are willing to share their now-moments from their corner of the world. It is so inspiring that millions of people notice the beauty of life and want to share it with other people.
It feels like we are all gathered around a campfire while sharing stories, emotions, dreams, deep thoughts… It takes a lot of courage to stay human and act upon the need to communicate with other people. That I find uplifting and optimistic!!! Instagram permits users to be more social, more interactive, more direct and creative. Let’s hope that it won’t end up as a Facebook copycat with all this incoming advertising noise.
When I was a teenager we used to throw spontaneous Saturday night parties to-know-us-better. We were listening to music, dancing, playing games, taking photographs, telling stories, flirting, talking about fashion or books or films or art and discussing our problems with school or family. We were stepping into adulthood through endless talks and music… Sounds familiar enough with today’s Social Media activity, doesn’t it?
Above and beyond everything else, the impulse of the human race to reach out has altered the predefined course of things in the most unexpected ways. It is my hope that the current and next generations of thinkers and doers will bring the house down and turn the tables… My generation had the need to eliminate the gap of distance between people; Social Media does play a huge role in that. But still… we overuse and abuse the “media” part and forget the essential element of “social” part. Which is to come closer, right?
Well, I trust the youngest among us to finetune the Social Media Concept. It is only fair to let the river’s flow shape the coast… Eventually, it will happen with or without our consent! Just wait and see…
4.When have you been the most satisfied in your life?
Every single day I feel contented with my life. Even under the most difficult circumstances, there is a moment of happiness and satisfaction.
😀 😃 😄😍☺️ 😊 😇 🙂😀 😃 😄😍☺️ 😊 😇 🙂😀 😃 😄
5.How lucky are you and why?
I consider myself extremely lucky. Against all odds and predictions lucky… Rainbow kissed… Always the winning outsider of the game. Oh yes!!!
6.What inspires you?
The Big Blue Ocean and Music inspire me all year long. Most of the days before sunset, I walk by the sea, with my favorite jazz music on my headphones. During summer months this walk may last 2-4 hours if it is combined with swimming. At winter 1-2 hours is an everyday loving habit.
The Big Blue Ocean and Music inspire me all year long
7.Who do you admire, and why?
I admire deeply Michelle Obama. Her unique talents and accomplishments have made her a strong role model for millions of women around the world. She chose to address racism, women’s rights, and public health and protect the right and access to education for all the girls via her project Let Girls Learn initiative. She is a very powerful speaker and has an amazing ability to make people feel as if they are part of something bigger. She is a true leader!
“One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals.” – Michelle Obama
8.Which idea has made you look twice?
17 years ago I came across the P versus NP Problem during a dinner conversation and since then it is my definition on turning heads twice. It is a major unsolved problem in computer science that deals with the quest if every problem whose solution can be quickly verified (technically, verified in polynomial time) can also be solved quickly (again, in polynomial time).
The precise statement of the P versus NP problem was introduced in 1971 by Stephen Cook in his seminal paper “The complexity of theorem proving procedures” and is considered by many to be the most important open problem in the field. It is one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems selected by the Clay Mathematics Institute to carry a US$1,000,000 prize for the first correct solution. Read more at Wikipedia here.
I am working on this topic in my free time and have reached some progress. Mathematics and algorithms are my soft spot since I was a child… My garden of poetry!
9.What would you do if you knew you were going to die in 6 months?
This is not just a philosophical question, despite the fact that was Steve Job’s favored one in interviews. If you are capable to answer this one, you are armed to conquer the world.
At a very early age, I had to deal with an extremely life-threatening condition. The continuous struggle between hospitals and various treatments changed my mindset. Unconsciously that pushed me in a wanna-do-it-all-now rush and without too much thinking I found myself traveling all over the world and daring living the life of my dreams. A couple of years later, my health was in great shape but… I was an experienced yet fearless young person.
If I was going to die in 6 months, I wouldn’t change a thing in my life. I live the life I want, the way I want it, and with the people I want. I believe that the better time to do something is always NOW. Nobody owns tomorrow!
There is no better time like now – Areti Vassou
10.What things you do not like to do?
Small talk is not my cup of tea, for starters… It’s like oil and water for me… Next to that is shopping. I prefer to shave my head than spend hours to the long process of shopping, going to different stores just to get the stuff I need.
I wish there was a solution to order everything I need through a computer… wait …. but there is! I shop only online. Absolutely everything!!! In the rare case of finding me inside a store, would be 1 minute after they have opened usually on Monday mornings, where they are crowdless and in blissful silence. Yeap… I am the one behind the first receipt on Mondays, my secret is out!
My definition of Hell is Christmas Eve on the Mall. Surrounded by screaming and anxious people in a hurry to get everything they have on their list. Can someone please tell me, why wait until the last hour? There are 364 days before Christmas Eve to get The List’s Gifts.
11.How honest are you?
I lie in very specific conditions if honesty is strictly related to this definition. I prefer to use a white lie or a softer tone of truth if the people involved in the given circumstances will suffer dramatically from the cold truth.
For example, some of my friends cannot handle the fact that we get older. When the bell rings for the hot question “do I still look young ?” my answer is affirmative. That’s a white lie that can save someone’s day.
I respect the boundaries of each human being and I pay attention to the needs of my beloved ones. I don’t want to make my best friend cry on behalf of cold honesty. Be human and compassionate is more important to me. Honesty never justifies sentimental cruelty.
But if someone asks for my absolutely honest opinion over an important issue, I am ready to give it in private and with the best intentions.
12.Which people you believe are the most influential?
In my opinion, the most influential people are those that are driven by the need to discover what is behind the corners. Those who dare to question the status quo of any mindset or theory: The Explorers of the Unknown. Social media can give the opportunity to experience this first hand.
A great explorer was Albert Einstein. He was and still is my number one icon and think very highly of him. He has changed our world in ways that are beyond our understanding.
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist. His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He developed the general theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics. Einstein is best known in popular culture for his mass-energy equivalence formula E = mc². He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his “services to theoretical physics”, in particular, his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect”, a pivotal step in the evolution of quantum theory. Read more …
13.Name one thing that you dislike about social media.
That is an easy one!!! I loathe over advertising and gossiping. Although I am a Digital Marketing Strategist, the exposure to marketing noise every single second gets on my nerves. I advise my clients to invest more in superb content and community management and less on advertising.
About gossiping… what else to add? I am not interested to learn all the details about other people’s private life. People or sources that use gossip as a way of communication, they end up on my blacklist. They are blocked… metaphorically and literally.
14.What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
The last five days, I am down with the flu. Today I had an appointment with my family doctor at his office and only after I returned back home I realized that I was wearing different sneakers. One white and one blue. Ok, if that is not funny then what is?
15.How do you evaluate success?
I evaluate success in different ways depending on the period and the priorities at the time. If we are referring to work, success has to do with the level of quality results in comparison with the standard requirements. For example, if a project absorbs 50% of my working schedule and has an extremely long action plan, must have some high standard short-term & long-term benefits; both for my team and me.
On a personal level success is to be healthy, fulfilled, peaceful and content with my life choices. At the end of the day for me, is important to feel that you make a difference in other people’s lives. Being fully present in my family and friends lives is way more important than an endless train of business contracts.
Life is short and true values have nothing to do with money or things. It is more important to be genuinely happy than extremely rich.
16.What’s your “superpower”?
My laser-focus skill is my strongest superpower. When my interest is locked on a certain goal, will make it happen with all the necessary effort and time.
17.For what are you proud of?
There are 195 countries in the world. Before my 30th birthday, I had already visited every known country on earth except Australia and North Korea. Those two are on my bucket list for the years to come. But I would love to visit again, Japan and the State of Montana.
18.When was the last time you learned something new?
Today. I spent one hour every day to learn or try something new. Today I studied Brainance MRI post-processing software.
19.What do you do during your free time?
In my free time, I take long walks by the sea while listening to music. Sometimes I am drawing with oils or I try new recipes. What I enjoy most are knitting and reading books. Lately, I have discovered a new passion… repairing and restoring old things. Making old things new again, gives me so much joy!
20.Can you name 3 books that you absolutely adore?
My number one is Odyssey by Omiros. The other two are Slowness by Milan Kundera and Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino.
21.What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?
When I open my eyes I am thrilled with excitement and curiosity of what lays ahead. I am surprised that TODAY I have another BRAND NEW DAY to explore. For a minute or two, I feel like a six years old child, ready to jump and hop up and down. Silly but happy… This is my most precious moment of the day!!!
22.If money was not an issue, what would be different in your life?
I will stop working and will go for a 10 years world trip for a second round.
23.What is your favorite color?
My favorite combination of colors is turquoise+lilac+celadon. With top of them all shades of turquoise.
24.What do you find appealing about social media?
The real-time interaction and connection are making social media attractive. In many cases, people are willing to share their life with friends or strangers waiting to gain followers or likes. That can be appealing to someone who loves attention. It’s an easy peasy to use and quite addictive may I add. Billions of people are taking the leap of faith and reach out for true connection. Of course, as in so many other aspects of life, expectations crush against reality. Issues of safety or danger may occur at any time.
As a general idea, Social Media is feeding the human’s need for communication and approval. It feels like we are all gathered around a campfire while sharing stories, emotions, dreams, deep thoughts… But Social Media is a part of life, not the whole life.
So I do like the social element of Social Media. But you will find me rather skeptical of the overused media element. To be more specific I will quote a part of my reply to question number 3:
Above and beyond everything else, the impulse of the human race to reach out has altered the predefined course of things in the most unexpected ways. It is my hope that the current and next generations of thinkers and doers will bring the house down and turn the tables…
My generation had the need to eliminate the gap of distance between people; Social Media does play a huge role on that. But still… we overuse and abuse the “media” part and forget the essential element of “social” part. Which is to come closer, right?
Well, I trust the youngest among us to finetune the Social Media Concept. It is only fair to let river’s flow shape the coast… Eventually, it will happen with or without our consent! Just wait and see… -Areti Vassou, Founder of Ideadeco
25.When you enter a room do you feel like you own it?
The first seconds after entering a room I pay attention to all non-verbal signals in the air and act accordingly. I stay focus on my first priority of each case and stay as concentrated as possible with what/whom I have to interact with. Most of the times, in the end, everyone knows my name and what I do. Interestingly, after many years of practice, you finally learn how to master these subconscious power strings inside a room for your own benefit.
In several occasions months after a meeting, people still remember something I said or did (to my surprise). I get positive reactions and demonstrations of genuine respect or acknowledgment for my work. The last decay when I set foot in a room, all those present stops and respond to my presence long before I open my mouth for a seminar or a presentation. Therefore I could say that I definitely own the room.
Experience, friendly attitude and deep knowledge about your subject is always a good starting point for strong influence impact. But it’s worth mentioning that if you know when to put a full stop you will master the game of influence.
Body language, emotional intelligence, and good manners can make a huge difference if you want to level up your goals. Make time next to you something worthwhile and precious for everyone interested to hear you out.
26.How would you describe yourself in one word?
Unstoppable
27.What would someone who doesn’t like you say about you?
Most probably will comment that founds me awkward. And that’s fine because I would agree. I am the living definition and the ambassador of the adjective awkward.
28.Where do you think you will be after 25 years?
Today I am 44 years old and after 25 years will be 69. So, I will be in Hawai or New Zealand for the rest of my life. That’s my plan.
29.What is your favorite quote?
My favorite quote is: Everything is Doable
30.What is your job? What do you do for a living?
I am a Digital Strategy Architect. Make Ideas Happen @ Social Media Strategy, Web Design, SEO, SEM, Content Marketing and Graphic Design.
31.How many hours per day do you use the internet?
I use the internet for 8 hours per day for 365 days per year. That means I am online 2920 hours per year.
32.How many hours per week do you work?
I work for approximately 70 hours per week.
33.What was the most interesting moment in your life, the last 6 months?
Last year I participated in a global competition for Digital Marketing Strategy Projects and got the Golden Award. The prize was a full scholarship in one of the Top Universities of the World, in Digital Communication Master Degree. Due to previous professional engagements, my enrollment had to wait for 11 months. But since this morning, I am officially a student … for one more time!
I think that professors will be younger than me…
34.So, what’s your story in a nutshell?
My story is a bit complex and long but I will give it a try:
I am fascinated by the miracle of life. Always curious what is in the next corner and never stop learning.
Design and technology have always been my passion and call. Working in this field since 2000 including B2B – B2C industry & freelance field what I’ve learned up to know, is that there is no limit to the expectations and goals if creativity is involved. Team and personal achievements are based on two stepping stones: to try out the less traveled path and always be the example.
Marketing is not the purpose. Communication is the purpose. No one wants to just get a product, but to gain the value involved behind any brand.
Therefore my steps up to here have built strong business relationships that last for years and that reflects to the brands. Tell a story, be unique, speak the truth and respect all beings are the core values that make a difference. We are here to make life better for us and for the next generations.
Founder of IDEADECO. Make Ideas Happen at Social Media Strategy, SEO, SEM, Digital Architecture, Graphic Design, Content Marketing, Web Design, Digital Copywriting & Blogging. www.ideadeco.co
Specialities:
App Design | Analytics | Metrics | Digital Reports | Blogging | Digital Copywriting | Ghost Writing | Research | Brand Building | Brand Manager | Community Building | Crisis Management | Digital Marketing | Digital Advertising | Content Marketing |Email Marketing | Inbound Marketing | Logo ID | Digital Graphic Design | Digital Architecture | Digital PR | Original Content & Design | Optimization | SEO | Google Adwords | Social Media Strategy | Social Media Advertising | Social Media Management | Web Design | Web Development | How To Support | UX | UI
For more details visit my Linkedin profile and www.aretivassou.com
CV Available in PDF Areti Vassou Digital Marketing Specialist
Get Into My Shoes
35.What question do you have for me?
I am into my shoes so it won’t be possible to perform as if I had to Get into my Shoes.
It would be a paradox of controversial perceptions, but still… if time machines were invented somewhere in the future and had to come back to this specific day, just to ask one question… If my oldest version could meet today with my youngest version, what would she asked me?
Oldest version: When are you finally going to send your next book to your publisher?
Me: Heeee…. soon….
Thank you for your time and attention,
Areti Vassou
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