Three Things You Need to Do to Improve Yourself

1. Experiment and make mistakes

Especially before you graduate and start getting paid in money.  Take the opportunity to fail often, so that you can succeed more. Michael Jordan said, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

2. Challenge yourself

If you don't challenge yourself, you aren't learning and growing.  One way to challenge yourself is to look at the work of someone you admire, and imitate it.  Do this with several people.  In music, the more variety of music you listen to and create the more well-rounded your voice gets.  Or you can at least pick and choose what you like and don't like.  It's the same with whatever else you want to do.

3. Love what you do

If you don't love what you do, improve something else.  If you're stuck in a dead end job, do something you love on the side.  Preferably something that gives you fulfillment.

Seven Things Every Designer Needs

   1. Look for opportunities to do real world experience

(Jobs on campus, pro bono, freelance, multiple internships, travel classes, ect.) Entering competitions is a good way to increase credibility and skills.

     2. Create a portfolio website

It needs to load quickly, immediately entertain/impress, and be easy to navigate. “Simple design lets your work shine.”- Brad Woodard, Designer/Illustrator at Brave the Woods.

     3. Start a blog

This boosts your credentials as long as you keep it focused, and stay consistent.  One way to use it is to reach out to professionals who know more than you do “I have a blog and my readers want to know…” You can also guest blog.

     4. Brush up your writing skills

Honestly, writing is so important.  Make sure you edit.  Nothing kills credibility faster than grammatical and spelling errors. 

     5. Share your work online

Using online platforms increases the odds of your work being seen.  It increases your audience, and the more people who see your art, the more potential for someone to have interest in your art.

     6. Don’t get discouraged

Remember where you’ve been and track your progress.

     7. Network

Networking has almost become a bad word in the business world.  Reach out to everyone, everywhere.  It always helps to have a business card on hand.  There are some sites that you can get 250 for $10. 

Bamboo Tablet Review

Wacom Bamboo Splash Pen Tablet (CTL471)

I got this for Thanksgiving.  I've been using it ever since.  It is really nice, it makes graphic design much easier.  Something that surprised me was I thought it work like a mouse where you could scroll.  It's more like an actual drawing pad.  Each point on the tablet correlates with part of the screen and you draw that way.  

Out of Trials Come Triumphs

The thing I've learned from unrequited love is that I can love, even when things aren't going the way I want.  It is because of these people that I have no fear that I can make that part of a relationship work.  There are other parts that I need to work on, but I am confident in my ability to love.

How to Exceed in Business Speech by Jonathan Johnson

1.  Find your own advice.
What has worked for others may not work for you.  Be open to other's advice, try it out, and do what works best for you.
2.Read daily.
Keep up with the news.  Over time business vocabulary grows when you read business section. Reading the news will keep you informed.  This will serve you well
Read 12 books a year.  Reading list is varied. Prepare a short summary so that you can go back.
Read things other than words, numbers and statistics.  This will make learning a lifelong activity.
3.Learn to communicate clearly and succinctly.
Poor communication leads to miscommunication and leads to bad decisions.  "If I had more time, I would have sent a shorter letter."
Politics in the English Language by George Orwell was recommended by Jonathan Johnson.
4. Take blame and give credit.
It gives people in the company the freedom to admit mistakes.  Allowing people to admit mistakes allows them to be decisive.
5. A fair deal is the best deal.
A win-win deal is more profitable and long lasting than a win-lose deal.
6.Make your boss's life better.
What boss's really need are problem solvers.  They need people who are candid and constructive manner.  Look for more ways to assume more responsibility, even if that means doing the tedious.
7. Make the "middle" great.
The point between the beginning and the end result.  When you feel you are here, don't get stuck in an "when...then I'll be happy" attitude.  If you do this, you put your life on hold.

Reality is What You Make of It

Depend on the Lord