15 Years already?

Spoiler alert, is not a straigh line

Today I'll share something personal, even thought I am not characterized by giving unsolicited advice, but this is an exceptional milestone. After 15 years of navigating the wild waters of design and entrepreneurship, I've come to realize how much I didn't know when I started (even today to be honest), so take this with a grain of salt.

I started as a wide-eyed designer, thinking I had it all figured out. Boy, was I wrong. The journey from employee, to freelancer to agency founder, from local projects to global ventures, has been anything but linear. It's been more like a rollercoaster ride through a maze, exciting, terrifying, and full of unexpected turns.

Along the way, I've made my fair share of mistakes. Some were small, others were... well, let's just say they taught me valuable lessons. But each stumble, each success, and each moment of doubt has shaped who I am today.

What I'm about to share isn't a perfect roadmap to success, there isn't one. Instead, these are the hard-earned truths I've discovered through trial, error, and a lot of late-night reflection. Some might seem obvious in hindsight, others might challenge your assumptions. All of them have fundamentally changed how I approach work and life.

I'm sharing these learnings not as someone who has it all figured out, but as someone who's still learning, still growing, and still making mistakes. Maybe some of these insights will help you avoid the same pitfalls I encountered. Or maybe they'll just make you feel less alone in your own journey.

The Learnings

Be Smart

Compensation can grow exponentially, even when learnings are applied logarithmically.

Be Lean

The world is vast and full of opportunities. Go get the ones that fit you, let go of the rest.

Be Open

Don't gate. Wealth, both financial and mental, is better when multiplied, spread and shared.

Be Curious

Take degrees with a grain of salt. Creativity is a massive construction weapon.

Be Gritty

Overnight success only happens over countless nights of work. Do not underestimate persistent effort and dedication.

Be Brave

We are all going to die. Sooner than we are willing to accept. So make the most out of your time today.

Be True to yourself

Never hide in the anonymity of collective. Own your words, and face the consequences.

Be Thoughtful

Shut the fuck up. Take silence breaks. You are entitled to think before you speak, if at all.

Be Selective

Not everyone is your client. Say no more often. Period.

Be Mindful

The past is gone forever, the future is uncertain. Now is all we have.

Be Stoic

Plan for the best, expect for the worst. Look at both successes and failures with equanimity.

Be Bold

Changes hurt, but lack of action cuts deeper.

Be Present

Your time is limited. Time with your loved ones is even more scarce. Value it.

Be Crazy

Entitle yourself to fuck up things and start over. Your time is the only asset you really possess.

Be Nice

Forgive, enjoy, love a lot and don't be afraid. Nothing is forever.

Be Patient

Expect nothing. Do something, and make it better every time.