19: Go Deep, Study, Don't borrow money
Over these past two weeks, I’ve been reading a lot- and working on three main principles from Bruce Mau’s “Incomplete Manifesto for Growth”*, while finding my feet in a new professional role.
The principles are:
1. Go Deep
7. Study
31. Don’t borrow money
Most of the other principles feed-in somewhere (“25. Don’t clean your desk” is a recurrent theme. Somehow, the dining table is often more relaxing to work at)
Go deep
Throughout my life, I’ve adored plants. While studying in Germany, I was encouraged to follow things that interested me while undertaking studio projects- no matter how whacky. This meant that my room became a “green lab”- with lots of plants, all growing in different ways (e.g. Seed, water, soil).
Since then, I’ve continued following my curiosity about plants. Last year, I started volunteering at the Herbarium within the Royal Botanical Gardens of Sydney- attaching specimens for an enormous digitization project. Getting to examine, touch, and study these specimens was incredible. Getting to have conversations with botanists, curators and scientists was even better- engaging, fascinating and inspiring. Which leads me to…
Study
Building on the curiosity from the Herbarium, I have just begun an online Natural History Illustration course. I have completed week 1- and really enjoy that it brings together art and drawing, makes it a regular part of my week, and makes it more scientific. My cosy setup, with hot chocolate, candles and tonal exercises makes it all the more enjoyable:
My aim for this course is to reengage with study in a meaningful, enjoyable manner- focusing on the fact that it is my choice to undertake this learning. I’ve also loved looking more carefully at plants, appreciating the tiny details.
Most importantly, I love the independence of doing this study. And on the topic of independence…
Don’t borrow money
Financial independence and effective management feel like lifelong learning curves, that constantly iterate as life changes. I have learned that well-managed finances/savings can allow for a lot of freedom. This does not mean that my finances are perfectly ordered-these lessons have been learned by making a lot of mistakes, being very close to broke at times, and often wiping my savings out almost completely by travelling.
In having conversations with family, friends, and anyone in between- I’m learning much more than I could by myself- and having preconceptions about finances challenged.
This links back to the incomplete manifesto for growth with the description:
“Once again, Frank Gehry’s advice. By maintaining financial control, we maintain creative control. It’s not exactly rocket science, but it’s surprising how hard it is to maintain this discipline, and how many have failed”
I’m trying to build the discipline to maintain creative control- and independence, over my life more easily. Further, I’m trying to build a better understanding of how I’m actually managing finances, and know if there are better ways that I could approach this.
Reading + writing:
I came across a quote this week that is informing my approach to developing writing skills:
“Read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river”
In that spirit, the reading list for the week is here:
Currently reading: Welcome to Country, Marcia Langton; The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie Kondo; Monocle magazine July/Aug 2019 issue
Last week: Dark Emu, Bruce Pascoe; Fabulous but Broke, Melissa Browne
Up next: Becoming, Michelle Obama
Until next time!
AP
*Bruce Mau’s “Incomplete Manifesto for Growth” can be found here.