Be a sponge with a rough side.

geull
geull
Aug 24, 2017 · 2 min read

Yes, it’s once again time to give some strange advice using an abstract metaphor. Just for fun! I find this challenge of free writing on an abstract idea liberating… so here it goes.

I find it very important to be a sponge. To soak it all up. Do lot’s of research; in my case I find myself reading articles on user experience or advertising or leadership, or pinning great designs, or typography or photography of famous rock guitarists. I consume lots of content in various forms. I am a digital hoarder of sorts. As a content maker I find it helps to keep me inspired to make in a new medium. Because of this vast collection of content, I continue to build a list of mediums and content forms that I would love to attempt. Top of my list is screen printed posters and Facebook Canvas ads for one of my bands. You might have figured out that this writing you are indulging in is also one of these attempts to make try something I am new at. If I hadn't started reading articles on LinkedIn and Medium I would have never started this challenge. However, by soaking up some content I found confidence and inspiration to give it a try. Overtime, I will wring out myself and writing may or may not remain one of my things still in the yellow part of my existence. This sponge methodology has also worked for me in other mediums such as interactive development or writing music. 1. Soak it up, 2. Attempt, 3. Squeeze and repeat. Each time you squeeze you let go of some things and hold on to others. But by doing so you have an opportunity to let go of what is getting stale, smelling and old to make room to soak in some new things.

But what about the rough side… what the fuck does that have to do with staying inspired? Challenge accepted. The rough side represents the more difficult part of being a sponge. Think of the green side as your determination, because in your soaking things up you will find some hard crusty nasty stuff that you may not have expected to come across but you will need to deal with it and accept that it’s all part of the process.

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Ok, before I publish this I will admit that not every attempt is going to be a success. On with the continuous pursuit…

Thanks for reading.

)
geull

geull

Creative Director in Mpls, guitar player in The Heavy Sixers & Frizzle Fry (the songs of Primus), proud father of a @SCADedu student.

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