Follow Your Instincts

Measuring the pH balance of work passion

I’m a designer, and I design with my instincts.

I enjoy the process of building and creating things from scratch. In order to make this happen with the least amount of friction, I try to design with a healthy mix of logic and instinct. But what does that really mean?

When faced with a problem, my instincts urge me to make sense of the problem with a holistic mindset; to look at the big picture. As a designer, that often means understanding how a small project fits into a larger scheme, having a grasp on things like branding, product design, market strategy and everything in between. So naturally, it makes sense for me to start at the beginning, with the most amount of information possible and work from there.

Let’s go back to the beginning.

Many moons ago I was offered a design position at a startup in San Francisco. The company had a mission I could align myself with, and a team that was all about camaraderie. At the time I was living comfortably in Hawaii, producing work I was proud of and jamming on personal projects in-between. But when the call came in, I quickly packed up what few things I owned, hugged my friends goodbye, and moved to San Francisco. – Leaving Hawaii isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but when is relocation ever easy?

It was time to evolve.

Outwardly I was obsessed with doing the best work possible with my new team; internally I was obsessed with putting my instincts to the test in a new environment. And when it really comes down to it, you’re environment plays a huge role in your success. Your instincts need a complementary environment in order for you to thrive; a shark’s instincts are totally useless on the great plains of Africa. I didn’t move to Africa, I moved to San Francisco.

This was a different league altogether, and it was a huge deal for me – Being surrounded by some of the brightest people in the world is incredibly humbling.

As the weeks went on I observed and I learned. I asked questions, dug for answers, and collaborated on solutions. We shipped new product together, we drank whisky together, we launched new ideas together, and we grew together. Our team tripled in size over the summer and began laying the roadmap for what will no doubt become a powerhouse tech company. We talked about creating a company where talented people can do the best work of their lives.

For me that was a beautiful sentiment.

What exactly does it look like when someone is doing the best work of their life?

I would say that you do your best work when it doesn’t feel like work at all. Even if there’s immense pressure, as long as your work feels natural and fulfilling, the fruit of that labor will be more powerful. Some people call this passion, but I think the act of doing great work comes more from having solid instincts.

The next time you’re in ‘the zone’ or iterating on an idea, stop for a second (if thats all you can spare) and ask yourself:

Is this coming naturally to me? Does solving this problem fulfill me?

I would venture to guess that if you’re really in the zone, then the answer will be a spirited yes. *That’s a quick litmus test for measuring the pH balance of work passion, you’re welcome.

Every Monday I ask myself these questions. I do this on Mondays because it’s the day of the week when most people happen to take the easy road on things. It’s a good time to push yourself, and to examine whats natural in your environment and what needs work. Unfortunately for the past few Mondays, things haven’t been coming naturally. And I knew why.

My environment had changed.

Dramatically. Almost overnight, I became a shark in the Serengeti. The ecosystem no longer had what I needed to operate on instinct, and my work was no longer fun.

Fortunately for me, the best work of my life won’t be achieved all at once in any singular space. For now, my best work may need to be achieved in an environment that most naturally compliments my instincts. And that’s the nature of evolution.