You have one life
Anthony Kennedy shares an inspiring quote by Naval Ravikant: ‘You have one life. Don’t settle for mediocrity.’ Reflect on this profound message and discover how it encourages you to pursue greatness in every aspect of your life.
“You have one life. Don’t settle for mediocrity.”
– Naval Ravikant
A galaxy of inspiration from Douglas Adams
“Writing can be good. You attack it, don’t let it attack you. You can get pleasure out of it. You can certainly do very well for yourself with it!” Douglas Adams
The Guardian has just published an article with a copy that the author Douglas Adams wrote about writing to himself.
It turns out, even celebrated writers who have sold millions of books can still struggle with their craft and their self-belief.
For me, the stand out section is:
“Writing can be good. You attack it, don’t let it attack you. You can get pleasure out of it. You can certainly do very well for yourself with it!”
Douglas Adams
The Guardian has the complete note.
For any current or aspiring writers out there, I'd recommend taking a screenshot of the note. I now have a copy and will use it when I need encouragement or inspiration with my writing.
Create. Share. Activate. Empower - The Adobe 2020 Creative Residency and Community Fund
It’s May, so it must be time to meet the new Creative Residents for the 2020 Adobe Creative Residency programme. This year, Adobe has welcomed to new residents …
It’s May, so it must be time to meet the new Creative Residents for the 2020 Adobe Creative Residency programme. This year, Adobe has welcomed two new residents, Christina Poku, a London, UK based photographer.
She’s using photography, GIFs and set design to make staged scenes that explore how technology can create growth, build community and change barriers to access.
The second creative resident for 2020 is Maddy Beard, a UI/UX interaction design based in Denver, Colorado.
Maddy is exploring the use of interaction design to promote mindfulness in daily life. She’s partnering with brands to design experiences that help people use tech as a tool rather than a crutch.
Both of these designers have some impressive work in their portfolio (Christina and Maddy). Combining this with their goals to build community, reducing barriers to access, and to use technology experience as a tool suggests there will be some exciting work from our Creative Residents for 2020.
In addition to the standard program, Adobe has created a new $1 million Community Fund to support creative communities.
This year, in response to the extensive need in the creative community for monetary support and career guidance, we’ve decided to expand the programme. In addition to the new Creative Residents this year, we’re excited to announce a $1 million Creative Residency Community Fund.
Adobe will be using the Community Fund to fund creative projects and to commission work for Adobe projects. You can make an application to the Community Fund online.
I think it is great that Adobe is doing something new to support members of the creative and design industry during these unprecedented times. You can check out the 2019 Creative Residents here.
It's all about your systems
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
This quote has hit a nerve for me today. James is the author of Atomic Habits, a book I'm currently reading. This book has four laws to help you set and maintain good habits that support your goals and change your life.
James' four simple laws are to:
- Make it obvious
- Make it attractive
- Make it easy
- Make it satisfying
If your systems follow these principles, your foundation or baseline will be high.
I've got my top five personal goals that I'm working on, and I've also got some positive systems that I use, such as Getting Things Done and slip-box notes. But, in some areas, I am finding it challenging to achieve the results I want.
James' quote above has inspired me to do an audit of the methods I use in the areas of my life where I'm finding challenges. Accepting that my goal is achievable, James hit a nerve with me on this one.
Is my approach relevant, and are my systems supporting me to produce the desired results? If not, what do I need to change or improve?
What about you? Are your systems helping or hindering you? What can you do to build systems that support you in your goals?
The two most important pages for creators to read
If you are a designer, creator, artist, or maker, these two pages of highlights from the Adobe 99U event are the most important thing for you to do right now. Better than trying to find a new book to read, better than the news, or other blog posts.I’m sure that the content in these two pages will spark an interest, idea, or question that will lead you somewhere good in your life and career.
Go and have a read now, and take notes.I'll be here when you're done.
Perspective
Quotes I Like:
“The only people who see the whole picture are the ones who step outside the frame.”
Chase Perfection
Quotes I Like
“Gentlemen, we will chase perfection, and we will chase it relentlessly, knowing all the while we can never attain it. But along the way, we shall catch excellence.”