Together

Verse 14. Together

Together-Henry Ford

Henry Ford’s quote “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success” highlights my forethought on Diversity = hence the picture reference. Nonetheless, it is immeasurable how far one could go with a unified front and as a team.

Like this African proverb states “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.

Success itself is a journey and requires a combination of factors to get there. Coming together, keeping together and working together are part of many strings to these factors.

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang

Mindset

Verse 12. Mindset

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Much is said about adopting a positive mindset. Michael Jordan’s quote is an indication of turning a perceived negative into positive. Cultivating a positive mindset deters weakness. A positive attitude supersedes negative thinking.

Athletes are trained to have a positive attitude in facing challenges. Pay a close attention to when athletes speak, they use phrases like ‘I am excited…’ or ‘I feel excited…’ rather than ‘I am nervous…’ or ‘I feel nervous…’ when faced with a task. A switch in ‘terms’ creates a positive mindset turning a perceived weakness to strength as Michael Jordan has stated. Michael Jordan is one of basketball’s all time great, an extraordinary player and one with a trained mindset.

Best selling books or novels are sometimes written from a place of obstacle, sorrow or pain. This is a case of turning weakness to strength. You may get a thousand ‘Nos’ for one ‘Yes’ that changes everything for a lifetime. From disadvantage to advantage, a case of erasing dis to your advantage.

Plant a seed of positive mindset in order to harvest positivity, strength and unlimiting belief.

Furthermore, attitude equals latitude.

Design, Creative direction, post
By Philip Abang

Fear

Dear ZedTears. Fear

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I was watching some video clips on YouTube when I came across Zach Williams’ Fear Is a Liar , I was completely hooked.

The lyrics were powerful, touching upon the life’s of three individuals in the video on how fear affected each differently.

In not too distant context, fear can be crippling and can hinder progress. The fear of failure, fear of trying or taking risk deprives us of certain opportunities and overcoming road blocks.

More so, creativity is born out of risk taking and mostly flipping the script. Some risk are worth taking to get to the next level. Life’s biggest risk is not taking one. For new chapters, pages must be flipped.

Overcoming fear is the beginning of excellence and accomplishments.

Cast that fear in the fire, for fear truly is a liar.

©Dear ZedTears

Design, Creative/Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang
Lyric Credit: Zach Williams performing Fear Is A Liar (Official Music Video).

 

Creativity

Verse 10. Creativity

 

 

Brene-Brown-GIF

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I was watching Ije Nwokorie at 2015 AIGA Design Conference: The Future of Creativity in the Age of Automation a while back and I came across Brené Brown’s quote above. Ije referenced her quote to qualify his thoughts on creativity and directions we can take when we allow our innate creative ability take center stage.

Ije’s work provides a platform for clients and everyone to use a creative process to solve problems. Very intriguing I must say.

I have also seen Brené Brown’s lecture on TED.com on The Power of vulnerability. It is worth noting how she uses her creative ability to woo the audience in a mesmerizing manner whilst demonstrating her art of storytelling.

We may not all be designers but we all have creative abilities. In an age where automation is profoundly evident in our everyday living, our creativity still trumps everything.

Our creativity is evident in how we speak, dance, write, see, think, draw, design, illustrate, solve problems etc. Creativity is born out of our intuitive mind. The rational mind should learn to shut up when our intuitive mind speaks.

As Albert Eintein puts it;

“the intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind a faithful servant.”

We should be more aware of our creativity and let it be exhibited in whatever we do. Sir Ken Robinson makes a case for schools hindering creativity. In his talk on Do schools kill creativity?  (also worth watching), he clearly makes a robust case for schools killing creativity.

He describes creativity as thus;

creativity — which I define as the process of having original ideas that have value — more often than not comes about through the interaction of different disciplinary ways of seeing things.”

Graphic design showed me a way of seeing things and as a result, I can express my thoughts visually, in writing and in design. I allow my intuitive mind dictate some of my creative approach.

“Creativity is part of life” _ Ije Nwokorie

Ije’s response to Brené Brown’s quote was a resounding ‘AMEN’. I concur to his affirmation with another huge ‘AMEN’ to that!!

Design, Creative direction, Post
By Philip Abang

 

Failure

Verse 9. Failure

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There is often a sense of resignation when failure knocks us off our stride in a process of effectuating an action, a goal or a target. There have been countless incidence of businesses, individuals, or designs that have failed. Be that as it may, countless have also succeeded.

Case study revealing how businesses, designs,  ‘great minds’, or entrepreneurs succeeding despite draining the wells of failure are too numerous to mention. Ironically, many whom have been through this path will suggest there is no such thing as failure. Every act of failing is only an indicator, a lesson, an insight, a benchmark to new ideas, a different and better approach to reaching an intended goal, target, resolution, and solution to problems.

My attempt to demonstrate the grits and determination of names we may or may not know that have scaled the fences of failure will be bitty, and no where near the never-ending tales of failure to success.

Nonetheless, Thomas Edison is a common case study of how he failed 10,000 in his attempt to develop a practical incandescent lamp. His quotes below sums up his thoughts on failure;

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”

“There’s a way to do it better – find it”

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time”.

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Oprah Winfrey’s thought corroborates Thomas Edison’s, William Whewell’s, and many others. Some names worth mentioning includes Elon Musk, Steve Jobs, and James Dyson.

Failure and success seem to be at two opposites ends of the scale, but relatively speaking, both are closer than we can imagine. I see both as a reflection in a mirror. Looking in the mirror is a figure of oneself staring back, beyond the figure, is a depth of potential, greatness, talent, possibility, knowledge, and more. Tapping into this depth determines how far we climb or how low we descend. Learning from every failure is the start to tapping into the potential of success.

This amazing quote from Samuel Beckett is a start;

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Design, Creative direction, Post 
By Philip Abang

 

You

Verse 8. You

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Barbra-Streitsand-Gif

I am a huge fan of Barbra Streisand and always will be. I can’t stress how incredibly talented she is having watched her films and listened to her songs. Her multiple awards won in both film and music speaks volumes. She is an actress, singer, filmmaker, song writer, you name it. Her intellect illuminates in this quote above. The design puzzle is yours to dissect.

Have a guess how many times Barbra Streisand uses the word ‘YOU’ in this quote. A good understanding of how we associate meaning or deconstruct meaning with words aids your critical thinking, self awareness in life terms, communication and problem solving in design terms.

This quote can be associated with most of my posts thus far.

I will let YOU be the judge!

Be YOU!

Trust YOU!

Still looking for clues?

Design, Creative direction, Post
By Philip Abang

Living

Verse 5. Living

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9.12

I was invited to give a lecture a few months ago, and I remember being asked in a Q&A session what my 5 year goals were, I sincerely replied “I haven’t thought that far”. I have listened to so many motivational speakers; Jim Rohn, Tony Robbins, Les Brown and Dandapani are my top favourites in the list. Each of which empower you in life’s goals, focus, discipline, planning and mental positioning.

I remember listening to Wayne Dyer in an interview with Tony Robbins, it was inspirational. It is good practice to learn from the masters as their wealth of knowledge is priceless. Tony Robbins once said “a plan is nothing but planning is everything”. It is wise to plan for the future, but on the same token, it is also wise to appreciate each day as it comes, not overlooking the little things that matter in the present.

Frankly, my plan 5 years ago wasn’t to be designing content or quotes and sharing it on the internet. It wasn’t about writing a blog either. Life takes us in multiple directions as that plan we had 5 years ago is either overtaken by events or tossed to a corner as implied by Tony Robbins’ “a plan is nothing”. Living in the moment is paramount, appreciating people around us like our families, friends, people in need, or even the fresh air that caresses our being each day is essential.

Taking stock of each day begins to frame our minds towards our goals and purpose for the future. However, live today showing love and care for the everyday things that matters to us the most as tomorrow is not guaranteed.

Design, Art direction, Post
By Philip Abang