Last week’s post resulted in a number of lovely emails and positive feedback. Thank you for all of your kind words! Writing these articles is a lot of fun, but getting little notes from you makes it even more enjoyable! It’s a beautiful day here in Vancouver, and what better way to start it than with a few random observations?
51. A lemonade stand on an abandoned street
Real estate on the moon is likely inexpensive. (Pity there isn’t any oxygen.)
I used to see opportunities in inexpensive storefronts that seemed amazing compared to costly mall space. As such, we often started our efforts in places just off the beaten path.
Customers, however, like the beaten path, and without them, you’re going to run out of air. Quickly.
52. Figure out who’s buying
This blog generates no revenue. It’s about communicating with peers. Unfortunately, our peers don’t buy what we sell.
It’s always nice to interact with your friends. If you want to make a little money though, it might be smarter to communicate with those who actually want to buy your stuff.
53. Life doesn’t happen behind a desk
A lot of people use life as an excuse for not working. I often use work as an excuse for not living. Both scenarios are problematic.
54. Sometimes standing still is faster
A lot is said for change, so we often jump quickly with little to be gained from having done so.
Think about switching from one line-up to another in the grocery store. Lots of moving, but you end up further behind in the long run.
55. Your friends don’t want your advice
One often feels the desire to lend a hand by making suggestions about a friend’s career, health, love-life, and the like. Although well intentioned, this typically is unwanted and might be worth avoiding.
People do what they like, and only change when they feel the need to do so. Relationships are easily ruined by misplaced good intentions.
56. Get lucky
When I feel lucky, good things tend to happen; the opposite holds as well. I think I’m going to continually remind myself about the good things just to see what happens.
57. Perspective
We spend our life chasing things. My guess is that we’d trade back all those things for a life, once the end comes.
58. Chasing the new
Everything felt new and exciting when we were young. As we get older it’s not so easy to be surprised. As such, we have to work harder to consciously expose ourselves to new people, places and ideas.
Although it’s easier to just stick with what’s comfortable, doing so tends to make us boring, and our minds dull.
59. One hit wonders
It seems that succeeding once is like finding a winning lottery ticket. It’s hard to repeat, and can cast a shadow that’s hard to escape from. (Do you think Bobby McFerrin ever wants to sing “Don’t Worry Be Happy” again?)
Perhaps we need to think less about success and more about doing good work consistently. I don’t know for sure, but I think that might lend itself to a healthier (and more replicable) model.
60. Whatever works
When things work out immediately one can become suspicious, looking for reasons, patterns, and sometimes even a way to make things more complicated. What if we just get to what works and accept it for what it is?
Want more?
Random observations – Part 1
Random observations – Part 2
Random observations – Part 3
Random observations – Part 4
Random observations – Part 5
Monday, May 25th, 2009
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A collection of lengthy, opinionated, and generally unapologetic essays on design, brands, and experience.
Eric Karjaluoto is Creative Director at smashLAB. You can buy his books Speak Human and The Design Method or follow @karj on Twitter.
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51. online, you're always on the beaten path
52. teach us how, oh wise one
53. most americans fall into the latter scenario. alas.
54. but, change keeps things interesting. that's worth a lot.
55. point well taken
56. in other words, a positive attitude is a good idea
57. more wisdom. you are so right it's sad.
58. keeping fresh is hard work
59. don't fall in love with your own work and don't think about awards. just do better work than last time.
60. good one. to quote paula scher in response to her 10 second sketch of the citibank logo on a napkin, "How can it be that you talk to someone and it’s done in a second? But it is done in a second. it’s done in a second and in 34 years, and every experience and every movie and every thing of my life that’s in my head." if you've got some experience, it's ok - trust yourself. you know what you're doing.
Yeah I think I'm slowly learning #55. I mean my advice isn't really worth much anyways and espousing it does seem much like a waste of time whether with someone who agrees or not.
How do Canadians become so wise? Is it the crystal clear water?
Wow! This is way outside the box! I am almost scared to catch up and read the other five parts, but I will. Great post. Thanks.
57. Going from 2 legs to 1 (long-term, but still temporary) gave me no choice but to slow down and take a good look around at...
58. Things like a closet filled with clothes and shoes that I don't wear, just seem to collect. When you don't realize that you grew up poor until you have some money...
59. A (relatively) lot of money, life can get real crazy, real fast.
Canes, Crutches and Immobilizers slowed down more than just my walking.
Thanks again, Eric.
Loved all of it.
esp 57. Perspective
And with that ... I subscribe.
Sorry, another peer. But you knew that.
That's okay--I like connecting with peers. :-)
I realized this today: I am so busy trying to get new things I don't enjoy what I already have. My goal this week is to really enjoy things as they are.