NAVIGATION92. Designing the Job
"Create a job you love, and you will never have
to work a day in your life": It's a slightly modified
version of the wisdom of Confucius. Designing
your own job may sound like a luxury, or perhaps
is the very definition of a fantasy, but in spite of
how unrealistic it sounds, there are some pretty
simple steps you can take to get a little bit closer
to that ideal work experience. The good news is
that a fashion designer is already on the artist's
path, so making an emotional investment in her
work is par for the course.
First, no one wants to hear, "That's not my job."
If something needs to be done, someone who
sincerely cares about the end result also cares
about how to get there, so she assigns herself
tasks that seem petty. This means there are no
small jobs.
Second, "I was only following orders" is just as
bad. Have a point of view, and let your voice be
heard. Risk and sacrifice come with the territory
if innovation is going to take place. Every time
you suppress yourself and avoid uncomfortable
situations you devalue yourself and your work.
Finally, this is not the domain of a select few.
Having purposeful pursuits, and letting your
work ethic classify you as indispensable, is the
currency you need to remain competitive. Going
the extra mile will pay off in the end.190 Fashion Design Essentials,