I was recently asked to be a speaker at the How Design Conference in San Diego in May, (put on by How Design Mag). I officially accepted on Friday (yikes!). It is exciting and nervewracking at the same time. I have never done something on this level before so I am plagued with feelings of, "Can I do this?" Deep down I know I have a lot I want to talk about, and I'm definitely passionate about what i do. The talk was then turned into a 3 hour workshop on the subject of "Using your personality to attract the work you REALLY want". So I've been busy writing up another tip sheet for it, some of the things on it may surprise you. My intent is to teach the OPPOSITE to what many of us were taught in school. You might call it the "Anti-Business" talk, I seem to be building on the concept more and more. For example:
Tip Number 8 -Don't Promote! The term 'promotion' here means 'specific targeted marketing'. By all means send things out into the world, but don't think in terms of "promoting to get work". Send stuff out because -you're proud of it, -you want to share something with the world, -it's fun to get mail, -to have good karma, -you want to spread your germs, -you like licking stamps. Try sending a postcard of something you made for fun, (i.e. directions on how to make a finger puppet).
I may be going out on a limb here, but lately I feel these things need to be said. Our culture focuses way too much on "how to make money", instead of "how to live well". I really feel that if you trust in your vision and pursue that which moves you, the work will come to you. So if you are going to the conference and you want to know "how target your portfolio", you might want to pass on my talk.
Some links...
An origami gift box has many uses.
I just received a shipment from Ex Libris Anonymous. The journals have some of the original book pages left in. Mine had wonderful illustrations inside! Yay.
The Land of Nod is fun. I particularly like, "Yes dear, steaks do come from trees".
The Wurst has a wonderful series of nesting dolls! Link via loosetooth.
Posted by kerismith at November 08, 2003 03:27 PMDear Keri! I think you are hundred percent right in what you say about sharing your things with the world and about the reward! I feel the same thing in my life and i believe it works. I hope so much that you would share the rest of advices with us in your blog! )
Posted by: Olga on November 12, 2003 11:01 AMI just love you, Keri! I so needed to read this today. Thank you!!!!
Posted by: Allison on November 12, 2003 09:01 AMSome would say it's crazy talk, but I tell you, your approach is so cutting edge, which is what we need in this day and age...
Thinking the old way doesn't cut it anymore and truly, it hasn't for a long time.
(To back up my statement: Look at all the people who've worked hard all their lives, doing something they hated, losing most everything...Take a look at all the people, young people who have lost their jobs, jobs they banked on, jobs that they thought they'd have and would propel them to higher heights...No, the old thinking has been kicked out from under them...)
Those who get to attend your conference, I am certain will walk away reawakened, energized, and feeling lucky to have been part of a revolution! They're going to be a little more daring, more focused, and willing to give themselves permission because in your way, you're going to give them permission to be humans and not machines.
Well, that's my take on it!
I've always walked in a different direction, and now finally, by your sharing that small slice of what you're thinking, I feel a certain measure it's okay to do so!
Do what you love...it's what counts. Otherwise, you'll make everyone around you unhappy.
Posted by: pt*:) on November 11, 2003 10:16 PMI need you to live inside my head all the time. Thank you for reminding me it's okay to care about my life like I did before I started having to earn money, etc. I am struggling to find a balance between happiness and responsibility right now, and it's so helpful to be assured that they are not mutually exclusive.
xo
Posted by: Anna on November 11, 2003 09:30 PMEve,
Thank you for your comments. To clarify, I am not advocating that you starve yourself (or your family) in lieu of playing, that would be irresponsible (not to mention deadly). Nor am I saying "who needs money when you have love."
What I am advocating is this..
1. Question how much money you really need to meet your basic needs. Our culture tells us that we need a new car, a four bedroom house, a dishwasher, etc. This is not so. Do the minimum you need to do to meet your basic needs.
2. Question the existing business models that tell us to "how to be successful". The world is full of people who believed in their vision, pursued their passion in an honest and thoughtful way, and in turn became "successful". By trusting our gut more we actually attract good things to us, when we act out of fear we repel them. What I am learning in my own life is that when I do work because it moves me the world responds to it much more than when I do things out of obligation (or when I try to elicit a specific response). If you are an illustrator for example and you try to do a promotion to get work, the piece will be contrived and your audience will sense it. It takes a lot of work to trust yourself and your vision, but when you do it opens up a whole new world (one that is not based on 'projected earnings.')
>
problem is that living well often requires money. i'm not saying a helluva lot of money, nor even a generous helping of it. i'm talking about the fact that it needs money, period.
love and all of that hippie stuff, yes, are the things that really matter... but have you ever tried saying 'money is unimportant, i have love' and saying the meditative lotus prayer when you are literally (vs. 'oh no, i only have ramen in my poor college student status - ness') starving?
worse, when it's caused your children to starve?
to coin good old marx: until your basic human needs are met, nothing else matters.
Posted by: eve on November 11, 2003 04:30 PMYou, dear friends will be the first to receive it.
do you ever read woman child blog? http://www.womanchild.com/
her copyright thingy says, "karma is a boomerang, don't steal." it's kind of the same idea. you send out the really cool stuff you've done that you're proud of, and people will say, wow, this is cool, i want to be a part of it.
good luck.
Posted by: lena on November 10, 2003 10:31 PMD'you think we'll get to see the rest of the tips once you've complete your workshop? (Congrats by the way)
Posted by: Robot Johnny on November 10, 2003 09:19 PMHa ha! Ain't that the truth. So it begins.
Posted by: keri on November 10, 2003 05:12 PMWow, Keri! That's awesome. Congratulations. You'll do great. You have months to procrastinate your speech!
-penelope
Posted by: penelope on November 10, 2003 05:02 PMoh ms. smith..... i just got your book and i can't stop hugging it. THANK YOU!!!!!
Posted by: lucia on November 10, 2003 04:31 PMCongrats on the speach. Wish I could go but it is on the other side of the USA so I am kinda stuck.
Love tip #8 very true. People worry about money way to much and never just sit back and enjoy life. It is nice to make money but if you have no time to enjoy it what is the point.
Posted by: Joe on November 10, 2003 03:31 PM