Working with Excellence (Except for My Own Projects)

“Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”
~Unknown

InspirationRockThe above quote is one of my favorites.  I first saw it on an inspiration rock that one of my college advisors gave to me (see pic — yes, that is my Play-Doh in the background).  Since then, that rock has been placed on several of my work desks.  It’s what I live by while working on any type of design project.  For some reason, I cannot seem to apply it to my personal projects.  My website has been up since about 2009.  When I first built it, I was so eager to put something into cyber world that I only added a Flash visual of some of my portfolio pieces and my email address.  “I have other things to work on, so I’ll make it pretty later on.”  Unfortunately, “later on” turned into almost five years.  Ugh!!

I could use the excuse that I was working a full-time job while taking on freelance projects here and there, but I can’t even lie to myself.  I put it off because I could not agree with myself on how my website should be designed.  Just when I thought I had the right “look”, I changed my mind.  Not only did I change my mind, I put off the project for months at a time.  Until one day, I got out of my own way and just started doing it.  I still fought with myself a little bit, pushing back deadlines time and time again, but this time I got it done and I am very happy with the outcome.  Do I feel like I could have done some things different?  Of course!  I admit that it makes me feel a little better knowing that other artists and designers have similar battles as this 🙂

Now, it’s time to update those business cards! (Oh, boy…)

 

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