If you need other’s approval to feel okay, you’re pretty much screwed

As a society, we constantly look outwards for the answer.

In a word, recognition.

But Keir Mclaren says, you already have all the answers inside of you.

Instead of looking outwards, look inwards.

The real recognition that we all need is our own self recognition.

In a phrase, accepting yourself for all the flaws that you have.

However, use these flaws/mistakes as the best teacher you could ever have and be successful in whatever way that you define success.

If you’re tired of where you are in life and are unhappy, well, that’s your fault.

I know. Who am I to say to you who is reading this that it’s your fault that your life is that way.

But did anyone force you to do what you’re doing right now? Did anyone force you to read this article. Whether you like it or not, you made the choice to spend time in this article.

Excuses are shields. Now, I’m not saying that it isn’t alright to not show up to everything and always be present. It’s ok to take care of your needs first. However, there will be a time in your life where you have to show up, need to be present, do a little bit extra just so that you can get where you want to be.

The world is what you see. And the choices you make, create that vision of the world.

I look at my life. I have a part time job, I’m creating something every single day, I’m writing down my progress in design, I track how much food I’m eating, and I write 3 good things I’m thankful for in the morning and at night. It takes 3 weeks to make a habit and these past 3 weeks have been great in regards to career. To be honest, with respect to eating, I’m not doing the best. Sleep is also something I’m somewhat lacking right now. However, this is my last chance.

When I say my last chance, I mean by the fact that I’m 2 years away from 26 which means I need to get health insurance and a 401k soon. But in these 2 years, I need to chip away at my goal of being a graphic designer and being completely in the house (read industry) of skateboarding. If not, then I’ll be at an agency. There’s not much that I can do except to keep trying and stop making excuses.

It definitely feels like I’m headed towards burnout again after awhile, but I think I’ve gone through this enough times to know what I need to do. One thing for sure is to celebrate everyday in some way the accomplishment that I have done. In the past 24 days, I set out to create only 1 thing. Every single day, I’ve created more than 1 thing. That’s something to be very proud of. Keeping this up will be a bit difficult, but I think it’s necessary for whatever success I need. At the end of it, I hope to be more confident and have my own approval.

To rewrite my goals, I think it’s to watch one design video a day on typography. Make a poster or something of the sort using behance and my photos.

Below, I took my summary for the Harold Hunter Foundation piece of my portfolio and made it into a poster, trying my best to follow the grid format.