“The idea of paying your dues… that’s basically what fakin’ it ‘til you make it is. That's you payin’ your dues. You say yes to everything and figure it out along the way … and, just work really hard if you want to be good.”

Simple truth from Episode No. 03 guest, Eli Neugeboren, an Illustrator and Educator

Eli's insight is one that resonates with me a lot. You’re a newbie and you’re not going to know all the answers at your first job or freelance project. But you have to be willing to go the extra mile and put in a lot of work. What happens if your boss asks you to create a web wire-frame, but you are only a print designer? You do it! You research, you stay up late watching youtube, you ask a friend or coworker for help and start to figure it out. This is the time to absorb new techniques and focus on the problem you are tackling today.

A designer is only as good as their approach to solving problems. Take this opportunity to add to your skill set. Learn to pitch that concept to the client, edit that social media video, update that creative brief… You never know what you can do until you dabble a bit. What’s the worst that can happen? Ok, so your boss may not ask you to work on that kind of creative again, but then again maybe you find out you really enjoy it. Now, you're no longer intimidated by it and it opens up a new roles for yourself.

It’s good to know what your strengths are, but also to identify your weaknesses. Either accept the limitation or turn it into a strength. Bravo, now you’ve made yourself more valuable to the team.

Other Insight via The Simple Truth Series:

Published by George Garrastegui, Jr. in Point of View