Freelance Week 09

I'm going to start this week with a rant. Ready? --- begin rant ---

The xbox live experience, as a whole, is something I've come to live with. It's not perfect by any means, but really what is? Apple TV? Roku? I think any new piece of hard/software has just as many pros/cons as its competitor. I think it all boils down to what you're used to. We are creature of habit, we don't like change. And this is where my rant begins. The new Hulu experience on Xbox live is terrible. Same goes for Netflix. I don't know who told them they should mimic the xbox UI but they should be fired. That's not innovating, that's just being lazy. And to top it all off, the navigation within both the hulu and netflix apps are so bad I mostly end up cursing my tv and then turning it off because it's not worth my time.

Enough ranting. Here's an idea. Someone needs to develop an open source video streaming service with a painless user experience and simple user interface. Something that can pull in all your favorite services, free or subscription based, with none of the social media fluff. Just good streaming video. Is that too much to ask?

--- end rant ---

Now that's out of my system here are some meaningful things I learned this week:

1. Don't be too shy/prideful to ask advice from your peers

2. Stop waiting for things to happen and make them happen

3. My verdict is still out on SXSWi this year

I feel like more of my friends are traveling to Austin this week than in years past. And that's really weighing on me. First, because I'd like to see them all in one place. Second, because I'm over all the hype that surrounds that city for one week out of the year. The me two years ago is vastly different than the me today.

Moving on, I have a pile of receipts on my desk that I've still yet to sort through and record as expenses. Even thought Harvest makes it super easy to track and record expenses, the larger the pile gets the further away it gets. There is a pattern in my life I've noticed that goes like this: First, get really excited about something. Next, go full steam ahead. Then somewhere in the middle I realize it's like the hare and the tortoise, slow and steady wins the race. Whereas I start out like the hare, I eventually realize I must transform in to the tortoise if I'm ever going to finish what I started.

There's a lot buzzing around in my head today. Probably just the coffee talking. But I'm also excited about life. Just the other night, and this is gonna sound so stupid, but as I drove to the grocery store it just hit me that I'm alive. Like, this is my life and I'm in the middle of it. I became very aware of where I was at, in my car, on the road, and I just felt like a spec of dust. In the grand scheme of things this blog, this computer, these words won't matter. All that will remain is us, God's most priceless creation. Hope you have an awesome week.

Freelance Week 08

This past week felt like a I was caught in a whirlwind. The week started really strong then I ended up catching some weird 24-hour flu bug, but it all ended on a high-note when I installed my new show at Union Bear for their grand opening. If you live in Dallas you should check out the art space downstairs. Here are a few things that I learned through all the craziness this past week:

1. Learning to separate my work feelings and personal feelings is hard work

2. Making people a priority in my life is the key to living a healthy life

3. Give a damn about the work you do

The latter of these three lessons is one I find a continual challenge. Maybe you can relate, but whenever I have worked for someone else I found myself wanting to do the bear minimum just to get by. It was always a struggle to dig down deep and find some passion for what I was working on. But now that I'm out on my own it's like I have nothing but passion to wake me up and put food on my table.

Something I want to continue to reflect on is this: Is the work I'm doing today going to make a difference tomorrow? Or is the work I'm doing now just that... work. Ultimately God can take any situation, however mundane, and sanctify it. That's the beauty of grace. So it frees me to just live and work and love throughout my life without the added stress of if I'm where I think I should be.

So whether you're where you think you should be today, don't worry, this life is meant to be a journey. Stop looking over your shoulder and stop comparing yourself to others. Focus on the road ahead and don't be too prideful to stop and ask for help every once in a while. We're more alike than we are different. Hope you have a great week.

Freelance Week 06

The winter is wearing on me now. That cycle of wishing it were hot again when it's cold, and it's only February. Contentment. That's the name of the game.

Entering month two of my freelance journey and I feel great. I feel like I keep telling people I'm so busy, which is true, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. Balancing work time and family time is probably the biggest challenge. But I keep going back to a conversation I had with my friend and mentor, Ben Pasley, about visualizing your tasks and then marking them off when you finish them. Sounds easy enough right? But the art of ruling your time is a tricky one.

It takes time to make time.

Moving on. As I continue work with my clients I also have a few personal goals I'd like to complete by month's end.

1. Finish and release Steedicons Volume 2

2. Get the Folly shop up and running with our new shirts

3. Get my new instagram photo show hung up at our local coffee shop

A few final thoughts about time management. Making a schedule doesn't have to be a straight jacket on your life. I like to think of it more like my favorite t-shirt. But you can imagine whatever you want. All I'm trying to say is don't let your schedule rule your life. Take time to sit, pray, meditate (every day) on what's most important. Then go do that. The words of Solomon come to mind, "Where there is no vision, the people perish". Thanks for reading. Have a great week.

Identity

Most mornings I wake up like this: Turn off alarm Grab my phone Wipe the sleep out of my eyes Check my email Check my twitter Check my instagram

... and before my feet hit the floor my identity has already been decided. Who I am is made up by networks of people around the world hitting a little like button. Bullshit!

Who I am is not decided by any factor here on earth. It's not a number, not a relationship, not even a job. I am worth so much more than what this world can offer me. And the more that sinks in the more free I feel. The more I am able to create and love and give and share. You see, it's only when you give up trying that you can receive by faith what's been staring you straight in the face. God's love.

Freelance Week 05

This past week was pretty normal. Head down. Getting work done. Managed to get some work done around the house as well. There is something satisfying deep down in my soul when I do something manly around the house. I can make things on my computer all day long, but when it comes to using my hands to fix/install something that's when I feel really proud of my labor. On a side note, I am starting to sense the nerves rising up as I prepare for filing my taxes this year. This will be the first time filing as a full-time freelancer. I guess I'm trying to prepare for the worst. But honestly it's easy for me to get totally overwhelmed by all of it.

So here's to a new week filled with new opportunities to create. I remain thankful for the chance to do what I love for a living. I don't want to take this lightly. I feel a greater sense of purpose now that I am cutting my own path in life. Not just for the right now, but for the future, however uncertain it may be.

Freelance Week 04

Climbing back in the saddle this past week after 5 days in San Francisco was really rewarding. Here are a few things I learned over the past week. 1. Stop trying to over-prepare and leave room for some impromptu living

2. Don't be underprepared either, a plan of action is better than no plan at all

3. Anything over 3 days is too long to be away from my family

4. Going back to the drawing board is never a bad thing, it helps you refine your original idea and make it better.

5. Face-to-face time is better than FaceTime

After getting in late Wednesday night, I enjoyed some quiet time with my wife. Trying to hold on to those last few moments of peace and quiet. The next two days were filled with non-stop excitement. From getting to do two new murals up at Union Bear, to speaking at the new Circle Meetup.

I'm finding my schedule is consistently busy now that I'm working for myself. It's not even the "business" side of things I feel that are keeping me busy, but the opportunities to go and do great things outside of my day-to-day routine. I'm not complaining, just learning how to better manage my time so I can do all the things I love to do.

I hope this last week was a good one for you. Let's focus on making this week ahead even better though. We can only live one day at a time. That's where I want to want, the here and now, not the "remember when" and the "what if". Stay creative.

Moment of Clarity

I want to stop the bull and just be real for a moment, for a week, for the rest of my life. I feel like moments of clarity are far and few between. There is a hole so deep in this world that no amount of consumption can fill. We are all only ever human. Yes, I put my pants on one leg at a time just like you do. The pedestals we put people on in the design community are like the tide of the ocean. As sure as they rise, they will fall. Having expectations is not a bad thing, but don't be surprised if reality doesn't live up to them. Get over yourself. Treat others like you wish to be treated. Make time to step away from your work and spend time with your family. Money, like friends, will come and go. So be wise where you choose to invest. Okay, that's all I got.