Category: How to

How to deal with emails properly as a designer

Dealing with emails can be a pain in the ass at times. The reason being is because they can tend to pile up and we will forget about them. I for one only check my email once in the more and once in the afternoon. Recently I had to restrain myself from checking emails when I was out eating with family.

But let me stay on topic with this post. There are various types of emails that you will get. Of course you’ll get the ones you’d signed up for. Then you’ll get those from various people who are in your industry that happen to come across your site. At times you’ll get those who think you don’t know much.

When really they are just trying so hard to sell you something. You and me both know that’s not the right way to do business or gain interest. More or less it makes it seem invasive and as if they don’t really care much about you. By them pretending to be bigger than they are displaces credibility. Never will I ever act as if I am greater than I am currently.

So here are the tips to deal with emails properly

  1. Do not waste time with worthless emails
  2. Decide whether or not its worth replying to
  3. If you are suspicious google the persons name
  4. Only check your emails twice a day unless you constantly need to (your emails are not going to magically dissappear)
  5. Unsubscribe from the crap you no longer care to read
  6. Beware of those who try to sell you a product that are in your industry and they talk a good talk but it does not add up.

 

Why I do not tweet as much anymore

 

 

Before with twitter I would constantly be tweeting. Then after realizing that I am not providing valuable with those whom are following me. Also realizing how much time I am wasting posting uselessness. The first thing that I asked myself who cares about what I am posting.

So therefore I use buffer and it posts articles related to what I am interested in and those whom are following me. Because I am a graphic designer and interested in various other things. So those who follow me can expect that from me. Another thing is using that tool allows my account to not go stale. By going stale meaning not being noticed and active by my followers.

Go through your timeline and think of the various things you’ve tweeted and ask yourself who really gives a damn about this besides me? There are certain things that you can say to hold yourself publicly accountable. For example I tweet whenever I am doing insanity to be held accountable publicly and let others know that its possible to finish it. Because just think of how much we sit on our asses compared to other professions.

Remember think before you tweet and spend your time more wisely.

First Follower: Leadership Lessons from Dancing Guy

 

I came across the original video of the dancing guy a while ago. But anyhow I did not think about it on the same terms as is described in this video. Because being a leader is clearly shown by the dancing guy here. Then you have someone else who joins in and then more and then even more.

To keep it short do not be afraid to stand alone while others are sitting down wondering what you are doing. Because you’ll eventually create a similar thing from the dancing guy here.

How to deal with a critique in the wrong way

 

This is a great example of an artist being emotionally invested in her work. Then after hearing people being honest and critiquing her work she gets offended. Which then results to her getting angry and destroying the painting. I and I know you or someone you know has had to sit through a horrible critique.

The feeling of someone just telling you your work is not good and what is wrong with it can make you want to quit. Well when you have situations like this do not take it to heart. If your someone who does then being a designer/artist may not be for you. You have to realize that not everyone is going to like what you do. So therefore do your best every time. If someone does not like what you do then listen to their feedback and take it into consideration. Your best thing to do is to use those whom destroy your work verbally and tell you what you did wrong and etc to get better.

One thing to remember is you will have those whom critique your work and not tell you how you could’ve done it better. This is something I noticed very quickly when I’m in a critique. I always tried to help with critiques and be honest at the same time with the person. Because honesty will help you and the other person grow.

Join the dance

 

You may be wondering what do you mean by join the dance. I mean join in the dance of what you are seeking or wanting to do. Do not be afraid of becoming part of the community. When you become apart of the community then people will get to know you. The same way as joining an forum or an organization in your career field.

Literally there is not any excuse for not being apart of a community any way shape or form. Because you have twitter,forums, instagram, and tons of other resources. Connecting with like minded individuals will allow you to enjoy your profession even more. Not saying it will be all sunshine and rainbows and everyone you meet will be great, because you will have those whom are egotistical and etc. Do not let those discourage you. Take the simple approach and replace them with someone who is in align with your values.

 

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.

Knowing when to take a break


When you notice that you brome a workaholic it can be hard to take a break. For example if you are used to working with taking a short break, then changing that routine can be hard.

Another example is if you are working a day job and at night your working on your actual dream job or startup. There are many things that you can compromise for overworking. Your health is one main factor.

If you don’t have the energy then how are you going to be able to keep up. I for one do not need more then 5 hours of sleep. But I exercise regularly and do not need more then that. For you it may be a bit different. Therefore not all of us are the same.

To put things in simple perspective remember to take care of yourself. Listen to your body and your soul. If your working on a project or dealing with a client learn how to say ok I”m going to take a break.

How to stay consistent

Staying consistent is really not difficult as you may think. Because at times we start something and then just burn out. But in actuality the real thing is not wanting it bad enough. Also realizing the effects of you not staying consistent.

When you have a reason for staying consistent you have an end goal. For example if you are cooking dinner you expect to have food to eat. Then another example is if you are producing a logo that can be used on multiple pieces of branding material, you expect it to be very strong conceptually and visually.

Disciplining yourself to say I am going to continue doing this no matter what till I see results. Then after you say to yourself I am going to stick with it and you start seeing results keep going. Because you are just scratching the surface. Which means you do not get lazy and quit.

So here is how I stay consistent

  1. Realize that I do want to do this (my current task/goal)
  2. Believe that I can do it
  3. Take no days off
  4. Constantly seek inspiration everywhere
  5. Know that I am not going to put out crap work just for the sake of it
  6. Fight through the crap work
  7. Set a goal to showcase a new piece of work somewhere for everyone to see
  8. Realize that at times it will be stressful and seem impossible but do not give in
  9. Do not be afraid to experiment with different techniques and etc
  10. Remember to have fun

There are many different techniques to stay consistent. Because I know that not everything works for everyone. These are a few that I use to be able to stay consistent.