1. Optimism can get you through the fire swamp. of design and Furniture
2. Having a target will help you stay focused.
You don’t have to have the energy or resources to tackle every interior design challenge that is in front of you at once. (And there will be many!) Find your six-fingered man, prioritize your goals, work out which of those you can tackle, and then pursue that with everything you’ve got. Be relentless in your focus.
3. If you rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles.
Be patient. Change and growth takes time, and there are no corners to be cut. I had been working at my first interior design job for a commercial furniture dealership, for 2 years, when I saw a job posting that I thought I was interested in. Unfortunately, they wanted someone with a minimum of 10 years of experience. I remember telling a friend – I will never have that much experience! And yet, here I am, with over 26 years in this industry. Speaking of rushing a miracle man, the same holds true for commercial furniture lead times. You may think you need it sooner, but it does take time to create quality furniture. Be as patient with those manufacturers as you would like your clients to be with you. Good solutions take time.
4. Don’t believe the hype.
5. Never start a land war in Asia.
6. There's not a lot of money in revenge.
7. Inconceivable doesn't mean impossible.
8. You may already have a wheelbarrow.
It’s easy to focus on liabilities, but don’t forget to utilize your assets too. Part of the process is evaluating the challenges and looking for the hidden wheelbarrow solutions. Your commercial furniture manufacturer reps are some of the best assets you have at your disposal. They know their product lines inside out and can point out the wheelbarrow that you forgot was right there all along. Make sure you reach out to them for help!
9. Sometimes words don't mean what you think they mean.
10. Wiggling a finger is worth celebrating.
Make sure you celebrate and enjoy even your smallest accomplishments. They were hard earned and are signs of better things to come. Celebrate your colleagues and their accomplishments too. The more support and knowledge you share will come back to you in unexpected ways.
11. Mostly dead is slightly alive.
12. Have Fun Storming the Castle!
AUTHOR:
Julie Barfuss
| NCIDQ, IIDA | Interior Designer | VA SLC Health Care System