This is good advice for just about anyone, but I think it is of particular value to architects.
I spent the weekend traveling, I was in Manhattan, Kansas speaking to the students at the College of Architecture, Planning and Design at Kansas State University. Last week was one of the busiest weeks I’ve had in some time (which is saying something) and as I spent my evenings towards the end of last week putting together my presentation, I spent a lot of time wondering what sort of information should I present to these young architecture students?
One of the items that I have been keeping in my back pocket for a while – because I think it is terrific advice – came from an address by Tim Minchin when he received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Australia. He is an arts student and graduate from UWA who is described as “sublimely talented, witty, smart and unabashedly offensive”. I’ll admit that I hadn’t ever heard of him before discovering this particular speech that he delivered. The entire speech is worth listening to, but I have typed up the bit that I think is of particular value to architects.
“You don’t have to have a dream. Americans on Talent shows always talk about their dreams, fine if you have something that you’ve always wanted to do, dreamed of … like in your heart – go for it, after all it’s something to do with your time, chasing a dream, and if it’s a big enough one, it will take you most of your life to achieve so by the time you get to it and you’re staring into the abyss of the meaningless of your achievement, you’ll be almost dead so it won’t matter.
I never really had one of these dreams and so I advocate the passionate dedication to the pursuit of short terms goals – be micro ambitious. Put your head down and work with pride on whatever is in front of you – you never know where you might end up. Just be aware the next worthy pursuit will probably appear in your periphery which is why you should be careful of long-term dreams – if you focus to far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye”
– Tim Minchin
In light of the recent conversation we had here on Life of an Architect on just how long it takes to become an architect (almost 17 years of education, internship, and examination), I thought it would be particularly good timing to bring up the idea of working on short-term goals and the value – and satisfaction – that they can bring to your career.
If you would like to hear the entire speech from Tim Minchin, here is the video … please enjoy.
Here’s to the passionate dedication and pursuit of short-term goals,
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This has pushed me to think a little more on my future, because I’m only a 7th grader, and I have been obsessed with anything that has to do with architecture, constantly bugging architects with questions. This speech makes me think more about other jobs open to me, I’ve been thinking long-term far too long (ha-ha). And it is time I think both ways, and not one.
I did exactly that. And here at 69 with 37 years as an architect my career has led to a job with the feds that has nothing to do with architecture because it was and still is the only job available. Not even teaching.
I maintained that this position was fluid and would change. But after 5 years I expect to remain in this circumstance and am now pursuing moonlighting work.
This is a great speech, and he’s absolutely right. I think I should rewrite my business plan based on short-term goals 🙂
Tim Minchin is the [emphatic profanity] man. Anything he does is gold, but if you need a song to start with I recommend the 3 minute song. I’m loathe to slap the NSFW tag on it so let’s call it “cheeky”.
I really like the idea of being micro-ambitious. When I reflect on my goals graduation 23 years ago, I sometimes wonder how just about all them could seem so important back then and now so silly. Almost all of them are still not achieved and yet my life is so full to the brimming of things that I am proud of and so many things that I still want to do. My micro-ambitions for today are to recruit a bunch of volunteers to help bring art lessons to my kid’s school, bill some clients for some work I completed yesterday and the week before and think about finding some work for next month. And I will also try and enjoy this little gap between assignments, as always, more work will come and then I will be too busy with paid work and long for a moment to do my unpaid joyful work.
Fantastic video, thanks for sharing. While I’ll probably forget everything he said in a week, it’s a nice inspiring reminder on a Monday morning. To, you know, be micro ambitious. And to fill it.
My short term (3 months to half a year) goals are including finishing the conceptual design of a commercial project in Qinzhou, China with our team leader; practicing for the half-marathon race on November; finishing reading all my newly bought books (15 now and the number is still increasing); applying for a part-time city walking tour guide during weekends. It seems that I always know what I want to do, but too many points of interest leas to a distraction of my limited attention and time.
Have to take joy in the little everyday things or the big things get in the way and you never get anywhere
“If you focus to far in front of you, you won’t see the shiny thing out the corner of your eye”
really nice quote !!
seems odd to admit it, but this guy is right. it would seem that my long term goals are the same ones I have had for many years now and I am no closer to achieving them now than then. So, from now on, my goals will be short term in focus. Now if only I can figure out how to accomplish that unachievable goal from 20 years ago into getting done in the next 6 months…….
And how much did you love the Little Apple, Manhattan KS?! I’m a 2010 alum of K-State’s College of Architecture, Planning and Design!
Loved it … and the ice cream they served me was spectacular!
ADHD. Everything is shiny…
my short term goal is to make it through today, and to make it through alive – hopefully!! but that depends on my professor and his intake of my current model (oh, my poor, poor fingers)
Awww that’s a real neat approach…