16 Reminders to myself this 2016.
2015 was — a punch in the gut. In a good way … It’s kind like when Rocky Balboa knocks you down and then tells you to get right back up while you lie there facedown on the canvas. And when you actually manage to stand on your feet *boom* He punches you once again. It was (what seemed at that time) an endless series of jabs and hooks planted on my face while I keep trying to not get knocked out.
When I look back and try to reflect on everything that happened last year. I feel extremely extremely grateful for everything. The pain, sorrow, frustrations, desperation, disappointments along with everything else on the other side of the spectrum. I am grateful for everything. I know that I won’t be the person I am right now If it weren’t for those. So here are a few reminders to myself If I ever find myself in the same position (wether its work or personal) this 2016.
1 — Spend more time doing work, and less time figuring things out.
Don’t be scared to try out new things and to fail, as Soichiro Hondo put it ‘… success can only be achieved through repeated failure and introspection’. So keep doing the work and things will eventually figure itself out. Just keep doing the work.
2 — Remember your work doesn’t exist If Its not online.
Don’t let your perfectionism get to you mate. It is ready … It is good enough stop with the excuses and stop worrying about things that ‘might’ and just fucking do it. Post your work online.
3 — Work on multiple projects at a time.
Focusing on one thing at a time is not you. You tried and failed last year. Embrace that fact, have a lot of projects at hand so that you’ll always have something to keep yourself busy with.
4 — Keep Hustling.
Remember you are not working for yourself anymore you have responsibilites and a family to feed. So get hustling.
5— Hell Yes or No.
… hustling. But when it comes to choosing clients use Derek Sivers advice “If I’m not saying ‘Hell Yeah!’ to something, then I say no.” Work on projects that resonates with you, not what pays the most.
6 — Design is not just about you.
Yes thats right hot shot. You need to listen more, to ask more questions and to always remember that there is no such thing as a client from hell, just bad communication. Also dont forget to take responsibility when you fuck up.
7 — Keep learning.
Learn something new everyday that doesn’t have anything to do with design. Learn a language, learn business, economics, philosophy, religion — anything really. Just ask and Google will grant. And Let your work be inspired by what you’ve learnt.
8 — Be patient with yourself.
You are doing well! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take breaks If needed. Don’t rush on life. You just turned twenty for fuck’s sake.
9 — Breathe.
Don’t forget to take a deep breath when you feel overwhelmed by everything. Meditate. Go for a walk. Play with your cats. Sleep. Never focus your energy on worrying about things that haven’t happened yet. It wont change anything.
10 — Get fit & watch what you eat.
Always getting sick sucks ass, so take better care of yourself. Don’t die on me man. We got things to do.
11 — Move on, Its over.
It’s been morethan two years mate … and she dumped you for all the right reasons. You don’t hate her neither does she hates you. It just did not work out. I know that you wish her all the happiness in the world, I bet she feels the same way. So do yourself a favor and move on.
12 — Spend more time with the people you love.
Your parents are not getting any younger and your friends are getting farther. Your time and theirs are finite, so always wake up with the thought that you or one of them can die. Spend as much time you can with the people you care about. Forgive, and always try to make them happy — every single day.
13 — A wrong decision is better than not deciding at all.
You can never run away from your problems. No matter how small or big. Make a decision, and face them head on no matter how scary they seem to be. If it turns out to be a bad decision, Good. Learn from it.
14 — Whats on the other side of fear?
As Jamie Foxx puts it. “What’s on the other side of fear? Nothing.” So don’t let fear stop you from doing something you believe in. Don’t let it stop you from trying out new things. Don’t let it stop you from dreaming big. Whenever you feel scared — always try to zoom out to change your perspective. Whats the worse that can happen? Its not that bad. Right?
15 — The world will not stop for you.
Remember that one time when you were invited at a party and you take a good look around and everyone is just having a blast while you on the inside feel so desperate & helpless because of the fact that your mom is sick and your dad is being detained for something he didn’t do and your family is going to be kicked out of your house because you cant afford rent and you dont fucking know what to do. Well Sorry mate the world won’t stop to feel sorry for you. You can choose to feel sorry for yourself or you can move forward. One step at a time. One problem at a time.
“It doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty, drink that shit and stop complaining.” — Rudy Francisco
16 — Be patient with yourself.
Again. You are doing well! Don’t be too hard on yourself. Take breaks If needed. Don’t rush on life. You just turned twenty for fuck’s sake.
Good luck mate.