It’s one of my favourite pieces of typography and thanks to the late, great Alan Fletcher it’s a thought that’s been with me for a very long time.
But why is this inspiring wee line so relevant at this time?
After a three and a half year spell with one of New Zealand’s most successful design practices I’ve decided to dedicate a few precious months to a professional development sabbatical.
It’s taken a while to realise that things needed to change and while I may not have the luxury of taking a year off as Stefan Sagmeister does every 7 years (see his inspiring TED talk - click here ), I do have a few months to recalibrate, recharge and refocus.
So what have I learnt in the first few weeks since my new adventure began?
Well, there’s one critical epiphany, and that is, I believe that every business should seriously consider giving their employees the opportunity to take at least 2 weeks out a year to focus on their professional development.
There’s been nothing more enjoyable these last few weeks than reading, distractions gone, for hours on end, pen in hand, scribbling thoughts and ideas as I go. I've learnt a lot, come up with some interesting ideas and opened myself to new learning methods and adventures. But I’ve also benefited from some balance, meeting new people, popping out for a kite-surf when the wind is up, taking the kids swimming on a Friday morning but ‘working’ till 11pm engrossed in a new found book or article. It's been a great lesson in balance.
So I've promised myself that that's exactly what I’ll do in whatever capacity I resurface as. I’ll take 2 weeks out a year, unpaid, to re-energise myself with new ideas, knowledge and inspiration - and I'll encourage my colleagues to do the same.
If the next few months go anything like the last few weeks I’m in for an exciting, life affirming journey into newness.
So I may not know where I'm going but I'm definitely on my way.
