A recent, college graduate asked how we custom home designers at Before The Architect could guide her in developing her passion for professional design, in learning to design. Herewith, in reply . . . . .
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Dear D.,
Focus on your design passion, and learn all you can, most preferably by doing it - including those aspects that folks around you regard as beneath them or undesirable. The closer you can get to living the roots of your craft, the better. Make up the chapters of your professional life experience with diligence, discipline, humility, honesty, and a sense of well-being. Know what you like; appreciate all of it – the likes and the dislikes.
Associate only with the best - better than you at whatever it is – the greater the disparity, the more valuable the association.
Select mentors carefully and be absolutely open with them.
Listen. Shut up and listen.
Observe. Don't watch. Observe.
Be curious, skeptical, from Missouri.
Remember being taught “Walk before you run"? You’re crawling. Learning is discovering. Discovering unfolds, takes aging. Work it; rest it; work and rest. Rush nothing.
Speak and write the truth. Or don't speak and write.
In your field, continually consider why things are as they are; what was on the other's mind when whatever got done; what's the story; what's the message.
Make no enemies before their time, but know them for whom they are. Eschew your enemies; pay attention to what you're doing. Some of the most disagreeable first contacts can grow into meaningful, purposeful relationships; some of the warmest introductions and newest best friends can turn to bitter dust.
Look forward, not backward. Ask of yourself how what it is you're up to makes you better at what you do.
Don't beg, bemoan, victimize, slavishly or selfishly grasp, act in desperation, exceed negatively, disparage or otherwise give up on your work. The meaning and merit of your lifetime is on you.
Be acutely, currently aware of the technologies of your work and experience the best and newest of them. Know your tools. You'll encounter times in your profession where there are real, physical limits to your days and the strength in your sinews, and the only way to achieve more or achieve it better is to be more productive. Technology is a tireless engine of individual productivity.
Backup your computer files frequently and make technological redundancy your everyday friend. Seamless technology is not upon us. Tireless, yes. Seamless, no.
When you're ready, teach your craft to others. This is best done personally. This is most often done with clients. You don't need a podium or tenure to perform; if you get really good at what you do at this or that, folks who give a damn will seek you out. Teach with both honor and humility. And answer each question you're asked. You'll be continually surprised at how much you don't know about what you know when keenly inquiring minds start inquiring.
Take courageous, considered risks; do not take brave, foolish risks. You will be known for your successes and your failures. Failing at courageous, considered risks is OK. Failing at brave, foolish risks is not OK.
Do it right. Don’t shirk, deny, defer. Context is not an excuse.
Scrupulously respect your clients. This is not a herald to kiss butt. This is to get you pointed in their direction, to pay attention to what you're doing by first paying attention to what they're doing. You've got to find them, where they are, before you can guide them.
Constantly define and be keenly aware of your market and competition, your market platform and market positioning. Proliferate platforms; persistently prosecute positioning.
Be prepared to be lucky and to be unlucky. We sometimes refer to this precept as knowing which train to board. Lucky trains don't stop at your station often in a lifetime, unlucky ones do. Don’t stand there waiting; keep moving. Think about this all the time.
Best to all,
Before The Architect |
