A Creative Soul's Rebellion Against the Mundane
[ Originally posted on JUNE 16, 2014 ]
I wonder what words of wisdom I'll have for myself once I get old…Slow down. Don't slow down. Do more of what you love. Get back to your Chilean roots. Spend more time with family. Simplify your life. Life is short. Life is way too short. MAKE IT COUNT!
What I do know thus far, based on experience alone:
I should always listen to and trust my instincts
I won't make everyone happy no matter how hard I try
know what I stand for and stay true to myself at any cost
it's more than okay to say No
don't waste time trying to fit in–it dilutes precious (and rare) individuality
if something isn't challenging me anymore, then it's time to move on.
Staying challenged is a challenge in itself. I've always believed that I shouldn't expect challenges to arise out of the blue; instead, I should be searching out opportunities of growth that are intimidating and scary (in a good way, not in the eroding-your-soul kind of way). I think I've been feeling the effects of boredom for too long. Because of this on-going plateau, I've come up with a new phrase: The worst combination is to be BUSY AND BORED. I cannot explain how bad this is for the creative soul. This is that type of erode-your-soul situation where you lose more than you gain in experience.
So what's next? That's the big question. What feels intimidating? That's going to lead me to finding the answer. I have plenty of opportunities to choose from. As a matter of fact, I feel fortunate to have recruiters reaching out daily with "exciting design opportunities". The problem is that none of them are truly challenging. Have I gotten bored of what it takes to design beautiful experiences or am I bored of the stuff I'm working on? While it's true that leading creative teams is a daily challenge in itself, it's something I don't want to waste (yes, I said waste) any more time doing. I don't want to spend 75% of my time doing paperwork or become the "buffer" between the designers and everyone else or explaining to another design what it means to be passionate about your work. I don't want to work my way up another corporate ladder made of red tape. Thanks but no thanks.
What I really want to do is pour my heart, soul and energies onto something I originate, something I dream up. I have an entrepreneur and visionary spirit (and notebooks filled with ideas). It feels like I'm wasting time and should just be doing it on my own, officially, and not for another company. I want to build something from scratch with a group of people who are just as passionate. I want to risk everything, I don't want to play safe (it's never been my style). And maybe this is what the challenge is about. That's the change I'm seeking but know deep down it can't be found, it can only be created. So, for the time being, I'm staying put because first, I'm not enticed by someone else's grandiose vision of their product or by the compensation. Secondly, and most important, I don't want to be distracted anymore because I know in my gut that I have to go on my own. It's my calling. That's the rewarding feeling I crave and it can only be attained one way.
When I get old, I want to be able to look back and say: "Lissette, you lived life to the fullest. You lived by your own rules. You didn't waste time. You took risks. You were bold. You didn't let inequality deter you; they fueled you. You accomplished everything you set your mind to. You built not just one great thing but many wonderful things. You planted seeds of excellence that will inspire generations to come. Nicely done."