PROFILE
NAME: Debbie Millman
TYPE OF OUTLAW: The Design Outlaw
INTRO
“My first ten years after college were experiments in rejection and despair. I knew that I wanted to do something special but, frankly, I didn’t have the guts to do anything special. When I graduated, I didn’t feel confident enough, optimistic enough, or hopeful enough to believe that I could get what I really wanted.” - Debbie Millman
Believe it or not these are the words of one of the most influential designers working today. Contrary to Debbie's early perception of her capabilities she has gone on to do it all. Her artwork has been exhibited all over the world. She’s designed everything from wrapping paper to beach towels, greeting cards to playing cards, notebooks to t-shirts, Star Wars merchandise to global Burger King rebrands.
“You can't wait for confidence to show up. You build your confidence over time.” - Debbie Millman
Debbie is living proof that confidence is overrated & can be designed by anyone. So many people put it on this pedestal & think it's this magical superpower that people are blessed with. This isn't the case at all though. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but you're not just going to wake up one day & be super confident. So, stop waiting around for it to magically show up before you make an effort to do whatever it is you've always wanted to do. This is just an excuse because you're scared of failure.
Fear of uncertainty is just our ancient brains trying to keep us safe but in this instance it's unwarranted. Anyone can develop confidence, but you will have to work for it. Confidence comes with experience. You develop confidence from repetitive success at an endeavour. The more you do something well the more confidence will show up. Don't get me wrong you might completely suck at this new endeavour at first but the more you do it the better you'll get at it. I've just started mobility training to improve my flexibility & fix a long-term knee issue I've had most of my life & I SUCK at it! I've been doing it for 4 weeks now & still can't even touch my toes. My knee has also got worse but I'm sticking with it. I'm going to suck until I don't suck anymore & I don't care how long it takes. Don't forget that we were all once babies who couldn't do the most basic things like crawl, roll or even hold our heads up. Look at us now. None of us have any excuse to avoid pursuing new endeavours.
WE ALL LOSE
“What we need to be able to instil in people is the courage to do something knowing full well they might fail.” - Debbie Millman
Don't limit what is possible for your life before you even know what's possible. Debbie has failed with many of her endeavours. Her first job was for a magazine company doing rudimental layouts, before she went on to be a designer for a real estate company (she describes this as the worst job she had in her career)- then she left & started her own business doing what she felt was meaningless work. This wasn't sustainable & by the time she was turning 30 she found herself in the tragic position of being divorced, homeless & unemployed. This seems like a perilous position to be in but it's not so bad. When you hit rock bottom, you're left with no other choice but to go up.
In life you will lose. Some losses will be bigger than others. I've lost loved ones; football games, my mind, jobs, my favourite jacket. They're all learning experiences. Losing my nan taught me to tell people how much I appreciate them at every opportunity I get. Losing football games taught me to be gracious in defeat. Losing my mind taught me about the dangers of drugs. I've learnt not just from all of my loses but also other peoples & they've made me better. Let yours & other peoples losses teach you to be better.
TURNING LOSSES TO WINS
“A moment that I thought was a complete and total failure—this takedown of everything I’d done to date—ended up turning into the foundation of everything I’ve done since.” - Debbie Millman
Every time Debbie lost, she came back stronger. She went on to work for Frankfurt Balkind (the best design firm in the country at that time), albeit she settled for a job in marketing rather than her true passion of design. This opportunity then led her to being headhunted for a branding consultancy & where she found her true calling doing package design. She then went on to be president of the Design Division, at Sterling Brands. This is where she really caught life. She helped grow the company from 15 employees to 150, working with companies like Pepsi, Gillete & Colgate just to name a few. She also has the longest running design podcast & has released 6 highly successful books. I know the last 2 paragraphs read a bit like a CV but it's important to see the journey rather than the just the destination. I've missed off so many other amazing things she's doing so google is your friend if you want to know more.
“Courage is taking that first step without knowing whether or not it's going to be successful.” - Debbie Millman
Perseverance is just as important as finding the courage to take that first step into the unknown as the 2 combined lead to confidence. Everyone is so preoccupied with the end result. Did you win or lose? We need to stop taking results so seriously. No matter what you do in life, win or lose the most crucial thing is not giving up. Don't quit on something you're passionate about just because you've suffered some bad results. Debbie was passionate about design & never let any rejection or failure stop her. Look where she is now.
Nothing is certain in life. No one knows when their big break will come but if you don't embrace this uncertainty & play the long game your big break might never come. Debbie didn't gain any substantial success until she was in her 40's when she grew Sterling Brands into a major design company. Our own personal individual ideas of success might not come until we're in our 50's or 60's. You might already have it or get it sooner. Whatever you do, never stop trying because when you get to wherever you want to be you have to try & stay there.
WHAT KIND OF OUTLAW ARE YOU
“I don’t think you can achieve anything remarkable without some risk…Anytime you try something that doesn’t have any certainty associated with it, you’re risking something, but what other way is there to live?” - Debbie Millman
Debbie has failed & been successful in so many fields of design that's it's fair to say she's lived a life of risk & consequently reward. Named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, Debbie is now a beast in the world of design. She gravitated to a career in design because she realised that greatness could be achieved through design & that is exactly what her work has propelled to. She designed her confidence which has allowed her to thrive through courage, patience & embracing uncertainty. Debbie is the design Outlaw.
What kind of outlaw are you?
P.S. If you enjoyed this blog look out for the bonus blog based on Debbie Millman's affirmation exercise "Your 10 year plan for a remarkable life"