Why there's no shortcut to getting wiser

In this issue: earning wisdom, the value of small iterations, why self-care is not selfish, and why success should not be pursued

Author

PJ Milani
October 01, 2024

In partnership with

šŸ¤” INTERESTING

ā

Mistakes are the portals of discovery.

ā€” James Joyce

A key lesson I've learned after teaching high school for over 20 years:
You canā€™t shortcut the experience that comes through trial & error.

Knowledge is learned. Wisdom is earned.

Illustration presenting a visual metaphor for creative process, depicting the contrast between the final product and the unseen work. In the upper half, a vibrant sunset landscape with clouds and a sailboat, labeled 'WHAT WE SEE,' symbolizes the showcased result of creativity. Below, multiple unseen film negatives, captioned 'WHAT WE DONā€™T SEE,' represent the extensive effort and numerous iterations behind a creative piece. The artist's watermark '@milaniCREATIVE' is in the lower right corner. This image offers a striking representation of the concept that the bulk of creative work is not visible in the final display.

If youā€™re leading a team, the trick to earning wisdom is creating an environment where people can:
ā€¢ fail fast
ā€¢ fail forward
ā€¢ and fail without fear.

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šŸ“ DESIGN

If youā€™ve been following me for a while, you know to focus on iteration over perfection. 

Knowing you can reverse a decision is an antidote to overthinking.

Iterations can be BIG. Or they can be small. The point is you can perfect in public.

Hereā€™s an example of a small iteration:

Version 1: Published 3/20/24

Version 2: Published 9/29/24

Curious, which one do you like more?

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The visual is far from perfect. But the beauty (and irritating thing šŸ˜†) about social media is that people forget!

In a few months, you can make a significant or subtle change and try again.

šŸ”® ENCHANTING 

You can't pour from an empty cup.
When you take care of yourself, youā€™re better able to help others.

šŸ§  ANALOGY

ā

"Success is not to be pursued; it is to be attracted by the person you become."

Jim Rohn

Focus on your roots and success will blossom.

šŸ¤“ WHAT Iā€™M READING NOW

I absolutely love this classic Design Fundamentals deep dive thatā€™s unlike any other design book. ā€œNotes on Typeā€ by Rose Gonnella, Christopher J. Navetta, & Max Friedman is the least boring book Iā€™ve read on typography. Every page is a creative treat filled with interesting visual strategies.

From cover to coverā€”cool stuff like this!

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