6. Unless you thrive in chaos you will not be comfortable.

New companies are making it up as they go. This is not a criticism. This is a fact. And there’s a certain level of excitement in that. But you’re already busy enough trying to figure out what it means to work as a designer. You’ve got enough chaos to deal with inside your own little 4' radius. Once your own skillset is robust, then go ahead and put yourself in exciting chaotic environments. But right now you’d just be another person running around in a burning house.

You know that whole thing about making sure your own oxygen mask is secure before you try to help anyone else? That’s what this is about. Before you go putting yourself in a chaotic situation, make sure you’re the one who can keep their shit together. That means someone who has seen a lot, and knows what to do when something goes crazy. That’s not you yet.