Meet Tim Rodman

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tim Rodman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism stems from the understanding that not everyone will appreciate everything they do—this applies to all aspects of life, especially if you approach it with a negative mindset. Having come from a place of self-harm and struggling with suicide attempts, I made a conscious decision, both for my well-being and mental health, to embrace every opportunity and challenge with humility and grace. This mindset has been a transformative life hack for me, though it was difficult to initiate. Along the way, I’ve discovered various tips and tricks that help me process new information and maintain a positive outlook.

In a world filled with negativity, it can be all too easy to succumb to despair. However, it takes a unique strength to identify silver linings and remain optimistic despite the chaos. Ultimately, I believe that everything will be okay—because I choose to believe it will be!

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

Certainly! My name is Tim Rodman (he/him/his), and I consider myself a dynamic professional whose talents span digital marketing, philanthropy, and music. In the realm of digital marketing, I am a results-driven expert known for exceeding expectations and driving revenue growth. With a strong background in graphic design and product marketing management, I have achieved award-winning success in fintech and industrial manufacturing. My passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion informs my work, ensuring that I not only follow brand guidelines but also foster positive, impactful collaborations. My commitment to making a positive impact through my marketing skills makes me a valuable asset for any team, and I welcome opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Beyond my marketing achievements, I am also an accomplished musician known as Timtmmusic in the Pittsburgh, PA music scene. My distinctive sound blends 80’s new wave, synth pop, and gothic/emo elements, creating a retro-futuristic vibe that sets me apart from other artists. The incorporation of darker, gothic/emo twists into my music adds a mysterious and edgy quality, providing a unique sonic experience. Influenced by artists such as Depeche Mode, Breathe Carolina, and Duran Duran, my music offers a refreshing departure from mainstream electronic and pop, drawing listeners into a moody and atmospheric soundscape. My multifaceted career reflects my dedication to making a meaningful impact, whether through innovative marketing strategies or captivating musical experiences. My ability to blend these passions positions me as a creative force poised to achieve great things.

I’m kind of stagnant at the moment as far as events and new releases. But I encourage readers if what I’ve described for my music intrigues you, to visit my Linktree which is constantly being updated with new things coming from Timtmmusic. https://linktr.ee/timtmmusic

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

This is a challenging topic to pinpoint, but I’m glad to address it. If I had to narrow it down to three key qualities or areas of knowledge that have been most impactful on my journey, I would highlight: 1) embracing every opportunity with determination and a smile, 2) leaving your ego at the door, and 3) staying focused on what truly matters to you.

Starting with the first quality, I’ve often been described as a marketing chameleon, a Swiss Army knife, and a multi-faceted professional. I take pride in these labels because they reflect my willingness to tackle any task. From my early days as a young marketing professional, I dove headfirst into every opportunity that came my way. I learned early on that the best way to master something is through hands-on experience. This approach was evident even in my early songwriting days, when I would churn out a new song each week. Although these songs weren’t as complex as what I write today, I knew that to understand what resonated with fans, I had to put my work out there. This principle applies to all projects and day-to-day tasks—there’s only so much planning you can do before you need to take action and see where it leads.

Regarding the second quality, checking your ego at the door, this world is full of egomaniacs, and it’s a standout trait when you can set your ego aside. There’s no need for another ego in the mix. Through various jobs and experiences, I’ve learned that contributing what you can is more effective than approaching tasks with a superiority complex. If you come with an attitude of superiority, you’ll attract similar attitudes, and nothing will get accomplished. But if you recognize that we are all just people striving to live our best lives, the outcome will be better, accountability will improve, and the quality of life will be enriched.

Lastly, staying true to and focused on what matters most to you is crucial. When I let others’ opinions dictate my path, life felt like a constant rat race, trying to please people I rarely interacted with. Shifting my focus to pleasing those whose happiness in turn brings me joy has provided me with a newfound sense of purpose and grounding. It has allowed me to concentrate on smaller, more manageable goals rather than trying to tackle everything at once. You can’t be everything to everyone, but you can be everything to someone.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

In the early days of my journey, I could only make decisions based on my limited knowledge and experience. I’ve never been the type to claim I “liked doing” something or “wanted to do” something without first having tried it myself. As a novice or someone just starting out, it’s challenging to have a wealth of experience to draw upon. So, without a concrete plan, I opted to seize every opportunity that came my way. For the next decade, I dabbled in a wide range of roles and tasks: creating mosaics, video production, mixing and mastering music, delivering keynote speeches, managing grand openings, working remotely, playing drums, songwriting, performing in bands, pursuing a solo career, and working in finance, real estate, and healthcare, among other fields.

The takeaway from this diverse journey is that I wouldn’t feel confident in my decision-making abilities if I hadn’t experienced each of these areas firsthand. Therefore, my advice is to become a well-rounded person, especially in the early years of your career. By immersing yourself in various aspects of your field, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the overall process and identify your unique strengths. This approach enables you to contribute more effectively to the bigger picture by leveraging your strengths to their fullest potential.

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