John, I'm only blogging.

"Hard work beats talent when talent refuses to work hard."

This is the mantra of NBA player Kevin Durant, given to him by his mentor Taras Brown.  I didn't know the origin of this quote until today when I Googled it.  Until today it had just been something I wrote down on a little piece of paper months ago and blu-tacked to the wall above my computer.  Something I probably saw in a Facebook post.  I love this quote and I really want to live these words.

This week on Home Life Simplified the topic for Listmania is favourite quotes.  It's week 17 for Listmania but this is my very first list.  I've never considered myself as a great follower of inspirational quotes but if I think about it, I realise there are a few that stand out for me these days aside from the hard work quote.

Yes, it's from a t.v. show, but I have loved this quote since the first time I heard it many, many years ago.  I'm at the bottom of a ladder I want to climb and I love it...heck I want to build the damn thing myself.  Sometimes it's scary, and that's okay.  Climbing ladders should be scary.  Getting to the top should feel amazing!

I spend a lot of time 'researching' which is really just looking at what other designers have been doing.  I'm a jealous creature and I often find myself looking at somebody else's work thinking, "Dammit, why didn't I think of that first?"  So, naturally I find the above quote amusing.  There is also something greatly comforting to know that other designers, in this case an incredibly talented designer, think the same evil thoughts I do.

First off, don't judge my crappy attempt at a Saul Bass-like layout.  He made it look so effortless.  The mark of a genius!  On May 8, what would have been Saul's 93rd birthday, Google paid tribute with a Saul Bass inspired take on their logo.  If you didn't see it, I highly recommend you check it out.

Wise words to end on.  If you ask me where this quote is from and who Bill S. Preston, Esq. is we're no longer friends.



Deb.