Nothing is more frustrating to me than indecisiveness.
We’ve all been there. Either you’re working together on a project with a group of people or you’re trying to make plans for dinner — and for whatever reason, no one seems willing to take on the responsibility of offering an opinion.
I chose the wording of the above sentence very carefully. Whether or not we’re all aware of it, offering an opinion comes with considerable responsibility. If you make a suggestion and things go awry, you will be held responsible. At the same time, however, if you make a suggestion and everything goes well, you will be the one to receive all of the praise.
While it’s perfectly okay to have one or two people take charge every now and then, the majority of the time it should really be a team effort. No man is an island, and no group collaboration will achieve its full potential without the input and ideas of everyone involved.
Should you find yourself taking charge on a constant basis, it may be time to reevaluate your situation.
Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room.
- Michael Dell, CEO & founder of Dell, Inc.
There is no shortage of words with which to describe the hilariously candid — and extremely talented — Adam J. Kurtz.
As he so humbly puts it:
I claim to be a “graphic artist and media designer,” which could really mean anything. I’d rather focus on less on what I am, and more on what I do, which is a bit of everything. I just want to try as much as I can, travel around, and meet (and work with!) lots of interesting people. Some people think I am also a blogger, but I try not to focus on that, really. I am really just enjoying a bit of everything.
I came across Adam’s work at a particularly uninspired time in my life. I had just come back from spending the summer in the cultural mecca of Montréal, where passion and creativity assume an everyday existence. My visit took place during festival season, when the already-bustling metropolis becomes an even busier hub of activity. Every week was filled with concerts, museums, live comedy, and extended strolls throughout the city’s historic streets. To top it all off, I had the good fortune of subletting a beautiful row house with two of the most perfect roommates in town: a pair of endlessly-engaging Fine Arts students from Concordia.
Fast-forward to October, and we’ve entered into the dreary half of Fall. I’m smack-dab in the middle of a busy semester, taking five classes which all demand a considerable amount of my attention. Despite my good intentions, my creative aspirations have slipped to the wayside and school has taken precedence.
In an attempt to lift my spirits, I began to surround myself with as much inspiration as possible. I watched movies en masse, and was reading more than ever before. I created yet another account on Tumblr and followed a grab bag of blogs: collage artists, poets, political junkies — anything which fell outside of my usual follow reel. I hoped that by exposing myself to a wide (and unfamiliar) range of topics, I would eventually come across a few sparks of inspiration which would jolt me out of my creative slump.
Thankfully, I did — and one of those sparks came from Adam. I was immediately captivated by the unapologetic nature of his work. He can scribble something on a cue card and make it art. He can outline his website in neon yellow and make it purposeful. He can make fun of himself and invite everyone to laugh along. (Did I mention that his blog is titled “adamjk stupid blog?”) He does what he loves, and makes no apologies for doing so.
After following him for a few months, I purchased Adam’s weekly planner and became a member of his 2013 Mail Art Club. I’m anxiously awaiting my first package, but I will be sure to keep you all posted on the delightful surprises it brings throughout the year.
Adam’s website.
