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The Tim Ferriss Show
#544: How to Design a Life — Debbie Millman (Repost)
Nov 5, 2021
01:49:55
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Quick takeaways
- Therapy has been instrumental in helping Debbie make sense of her experiences and find healing.
- Living in Manhattan provided Debbie with a sense of security and control after a challenging childhood.
- Debbie's work with the Joyful Heart Foundation showcases the power of using personal experiences to make a positive impact.
- Debbie's rejection from the AIGA board led to a turning point in her career and opened new opportunities.
Deep dives
The Transformative Power of Therapy
Dabby shares that she has been in therapy for over two decades and believes that it has saved her life. Therapy has helped her make sense of her experiences, understand why they happened, and how they have shaped her. She encourages those who have had similar experiences to seek help and reach out to organizations like the Joyful Heart Foundation and No More for support.
The Importance of Living in Manhattan
Dabby discusses how living in Manhattan was a dream that motivated her to pursue a stable career in design. She acknowledges that her desire for self-sufficiency and financial stability stemmed from a challenging childhood filled with abuse and instability. By being in Manhattan and having a stable income, she was able to create a sense of security and control in her life.
Finding Purpose with Joyful Heart Foundation
Dabby shares her work with the Joyful Heart Foundation, an organization that aims to eradicate domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse. Through her branding expertise, Dabby has been able to contribute to the organization's mission and help raise awareness. She emphasizes the importance of using personal experiences to make a positive impact.
The Speak Up Story
Dabby recounts her experience with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the Brand Experience Centre. Despite being rejected from the board, she was asked to be a judge in AIGA's prestigious annual design competition. This opportunity, accompanied by a clash with another juror, turned out to be a turning point in her career and led her to new opportunities.
Overcoming Criticism and Building a Career in Design
Debby Milman shares her personal experience of facing harsh criticism and backlash for her work as a designer. She recounts the incident where she was publicly criticized in an open letter and the emotional turmoil it caused her. Despite feeling ashamed and embarrassed, she was determined to continue her career. Eventually, she found support from likeminded individuals and became a part of a community that aimed to change the design industry through online conversations.
Following Personal Passions and Taking Opportunities
Debby Milman discusses the importance of following personal passions and seizing opportunities. She shares how she started writing for magazines like Print and hosting her own radio show, Design Matters. Her initial fears about financial stability and career prospects held her back, but she eventually found the courage to take risks and pursue her interests. She encourages listeners to let go of trapezes that no longer serve them and embrace the possibilities that come with change.
Creating a Remarkable Life and Pursuing Courage
Debby Milman emphasizes the significance of creating a remarkable life and how courage plays a crucial role in shaping one's journey. She shares an exercise she learned from Milton Glaser, where individuals envision their lives without fear of failure. Debby recounts her own experience of making hard decisions and stepping out of her comfort zone. She underscores the importance of courage over confidence and encourages listeners to dream big and take courageous steps to fulfill their aspirations.
Debbie Millman (@debbiemillman) has been named one of the most creative people in business by Fast Company, and she is the host of Design Matters—a great show and one of the world’s longest running podcasts. She is also Chair of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts and Editorial Director of Print magazine, and she has worked on design strategy for some of the world’s largest brands.
This episode originally aired in 2017. You can find the show notes here: https://tim.blog/2017/01/12/how-to-design-a-life-debbie-millman/
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