Tessa Manuello 💡

Collaborate on Projects! Collaborate with others on joint projects or initiatives that allow you to combine your skills with those of others. Working collaboratively not only fosters creativity and innovation but also provides opportunities to learn from others' expertise and perspectives, and to network. It gives you a chance to experiment, and to validate you really enjoy using these skills in practice!

Establish Boundaries! Set clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout and maintain balance. Designate specific times for work-related tasks and ensure you allocate time for relaxation, leisure, and social connections outside of work hours. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices into your daily routine to reduce stress and promote mental clarity. This could include meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply taking moments throughout the day to pause and center yourself in the present moment.

Offer to Lead Cross-Functional Projects! Volunteer to lead or participate in cross-functional projects that require collaboration across different teams or departments. This exposes you to diverse perspectives and challenges you to think creatively to find solutions that meet the needs of various stakeholders. Also, encourage a culture of collaboration and idea sharing within your team or organization. Create forums or brainstorming sessions where team members can freely exchange ideas, share insights, and provide feedback on each other's proposals. By fostering a supportive environment that values creativity and innovation, you can inspire collective problem-solving and drive organizational growth.

Yes but do not reinvent the wheel! Instead, draw inspiration from diverse sources: Expand your creative horizons by drawing inspiration from various sources inside and beyond your niche or industry. Success leaves clues. Be sure to look what works in your industry before reinventing the wheel! Also to be creative and original, experiment with mixed media: Don't limit yourself to traditional graphic design techniques. Experiment with mixed media approaches by combining photography, illustration, typography, and digital collage. Mix and match different elements to create visually dynamic and engaging compositions that leave a lasting impression.

Don't strive for perfection right from the start. Instead, embrace a process of rapid prototyping and iterative refinement. Start small by creating prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) or minimum desirable products (MDPs) to test your ideas quickly and gather feedback from users. Iterate based on this feedback, making incremental improvements until you achieve the desired outcome.

Network AND share your work! Showcase your expertise by sharing your projects, articles, or portfolio on your social media profiles or professional platforms. This not only demonstrates your skills but also attracts potential employers or clients who may be seeking talent! This is by far the most valuable tip, show don't tell!