Author: Josten Dooley

Building on my own platform

Recently after listening to seanwes podcast I learned the value of building your own platform. By  building your own platform you have more control. Because all across the internet you see examples of those who have.

When I say building your own platform I mean you own what you build. For example how at first had started an etsy store. Then after the podcast I learned quickly how little control I had. By control is how they could shut down my store at any moment and whatever could happen. Another thing is the fee’s they charge. Yea they may be miniscule in a sense. But why pay for something when I can do it myself.

While doing it myself I can set my own price, have more control, free to do as I please. Sean had mentioned that those platforms are for people whom do not want to spend the time building something from scratch and what not. You have to take into account that you do not own it.

With as many articles and different mediums to start selling whatever why would you depend on someone else other than yourself to do it the correct way. You may be afraid of doing such a thing. Think of it this way if it fails whom would I have to blame other than myself. But if you do fail you will learn from it, better then someone who had their hand held through the whole process.

There’s no chance to fail if

When I came across this quote I was a little surprised. More so because those whom are persistent with not giving up they eventually reach their objective. By that I mean they get to where they want to be. Instead of those who have family,friends saying you need to get a Job because what your doing is not working. Well despite all of the people telling them what they should do they make it.

They make it because they set goals and grind daily. While others are out partying they are working on their dreams. Another thing they realize is time matters. Time is something that we cannot get back and it will slip through our hands like water. Just think of how many things we could have done or be doing that is more productive than going shopping and etc.

Really what are you willing to sacrifice for your future? Because right now is the time that matters. I know that it will hurt you a little or a lot inside to sit inside and work while others are having a great time. I am not saying having a good time is bad. But in actuality when you know you should be doing something else be honest with yourself and do it. Be Persistent

 

Key Points to remember

  • Do what you know you should be doing
  • Stop wasting your time
  • Be willing to sacrifice
  • Put the effort in and go all the way
  • Be persistent

Keep testing your limits

You should definitely not be afraid to test your limits. By pushing yourself beyond what you normally would do is not a bad thing. For example just think of it along the lines of a rubber band. The rubber band is attached together.

Then after you keep stretching it, eventually it breaks. After the rubber band breaks you can stretch it even further. Your life is exactly the same way. Also your skills and everything else you do. Because you want to keep moving forward, learning new skills and sharpening your current skills.

Ways to go about testing your limits are to not be afraid of new situations. When you are in new situations do not run from them (well if its a life or death situation then run) and learn what you can from the experience. Because doing so will allow you to grow to the person you should be.

After you’ve experienced new situations is time to start doing what you know you should be doing. I know I probably have talked about this before. But I over time you will learn that it is so easy to just let things slip by. When you know that you should be updating your portfolio site more often or when you know you should be marketing your website more often. But instead you just keep letting it slip by.

Testing your limits is really for someone who knows that they are capable of doing more then just what is required. Also someone who wants to see how far they can go. By seeing how far someone can go they will eventually surpass others who just do what is required to get by.

 

Good things come to those who hustle

Do not think for one second that you do not have to work. By that I mean do not think that you will get what you want by waiting for it. Well you may get somethings that you want. But that does not mean it will be what you want. The things that you will get will most likely be things left over from those who know what they want.

By hustling I mean to basically do what you know you should be doing. This also is in line with you being honest with yourself. So get off you ass and go do it. Start now by doing one thing and then continue to add on and be persistent.

Being Addicted to Stats

Being addicted to stats is a thing that is not healthy. Another thing is likes on instagram and other social networks. Because we want our stuff to get seen and appreciated. At first I did not know how to deal with people not liking my work. Then I had a reality check along the lines of why I actually posted my work there in the first place.

At times I post stuff on instagram for example and it does not get likes as I expected it would. But you know what? I don’t get discouraged. Because I let my passion keep me going. If your just doing something for a like or just to get noticed sooner or later you will fizzle out. By fizzling out I mean you’ll end up quitting.

These blog posts I do not get any monetary reward from them. I do enjoy writing them for you to read. Also I enjoy sharing my experiences and helping other designers. Because at times that can seem hard to come by someone who is willing to do that. Another stat addiction was the statistics for this website.

I would constantly check which sections people were visiting, which are my top posts and etc. When the stats are not important as they seem. I mean they are good but to not solely rely on them. Because if you are writing or doing whatever based on stats its not natural and authentic. So do your best to not get caught up in the data aspects of things. Because you seem people with 1000’s of followers on instagram and their pictures have very few likes as a good example.

 

Failing Publicly and learning from it

Well I want to be honest with you that  I completely failed with my etsy store. The idea that I had for my store was not good as I expected it to be. Of course I did the a good amount of promoting. But the thing was not having control.

Another thing was for example you all would visit here and then have to leave and go visit another site. In regards to not having control was more so that I could have my store closed for no reason. The plans are to regroup and come up with another game plan.

Possibly redesigning my site overall.  I have been wanting to revamp to a more professional looking site and something that is more navigable. I also want to say thank you all for following along with me and all of your support.

Because I have at the bottom of store/freebies section of this site more wallpapers will be updated soon. But I failed to do so. I am sorry for not updating more often. As I stated earlier I am going to regroup and relaunch my calligraphy work the correct way.

 

 

30,000 feet thought patterns

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Recently I took a trip to visit my parents. The way I traveled was by plane of course. If you ever took a flight there is something about being in the clouds that is indescribable.

The visual perspective is calming. This effect can be the result of the color of the clouds or who knows. Possibly from being so high from the ground.

Other things I thought about while in the clouds was how amazing it was that we as the human race were able to build a plane and fly across the world.

All of this is from simply paying attention to the world around me. When you pay attention to the little things your world is more interesting. So do your best to not miss the chance of seeing something that can inspire you or make you enjoy life better.