Action
Note 009: Nothing else matters
Well this is exciting – Monday morning.
I can smell the coffee.
New time, same me… and soon to be changed you.
Our first 8 notes have been delivered Friday afternoons, longer format, reflective, introducing large topics and concepts we will return again and again to over the coming years (Networking, Money, Time, Space, Marketing).
But Monday mornings are different.
I find them incredibly exciting.
There is a whole week ahead to change the world and yourself.
Community building is what Andrew’s Notes is all about – supporting you as you move forward through University towards your first job, supporting you as you move through progressing your career and weigh up partnerships, jumping ship, or doubling down, and then supporting you once you take that leap and start chasing your dreams of running your own architectural practice.
In all cases, we are supporting each other as you move towards becoming a creative professional whatever path you choose – and that means forming new habits, including the number one meta habit:
Taking Action
So this week is something different.
Your task this week is to take only one of the 19 small actions listed below – then if you feel comfortable, comment publicly on this post, or if not, email me directly.
One can be taken within a lunch break, between tutorials, after your day job, early morning.
It is your choice and in addition to your current commitments that you must keep performing at 100% as you build these additional habits. Pick Just 1.
Actions for this week for Students of Architecture
Organise your most killer, attention grabbing, A4 portrait-oriented image. (This will be key for grabbing attention when we cover ‘getting your 1st job’
Shortlist 3 dream job studios
Catch up with your close archi-friends to discuss who you would like to work for
Put in one very long day, longer than the minimum expected on your studio design work
Share this note with 1 other student friend - hold each other to account this week
Actions for this week for those Considering Starting Your Architectural Practice
Talk to any business owner and ask what it was like in the early days, mechanic, café owner… a lot of the challenges are the same
Write down what you are passionate about in addition to architecture in less than 30 words, your unique marketing position will be a combination of your personality as well as your architecture skills - your talent stack
Come up with a potential Business / Studio Name
Log on to ASIC and feel out what you will need to complete for your business name
Test your preferred name with .com or .com.au – is it available? Is it short?
Share this note with 1 other graduate friend - hold each other to account this week
Actions for this week for those who have Just Started Your Architectural Practice
If work is thin on the ground, contact an architecture practice you admire and offer contract services for what you are very skilled at, Documentation, 3D, DA reports, and that they are free to get on touch any time they may be caught for a deadline
Start a website if you don’t have one at all. Main points are contact, at least 1 great image if still a holding page and you have no work, built work if you have any, rendered work if it is realistic or indicative of the services you are going to offer, a short statement of your expertise, point of difference and passion
Start an excel spreadsheet if architecture-adjacent contacts you personally know, consultants, builders, real estate agents, clients if you have some, leads
Share this note with 1 other recent starter friend - hold each other to account this week
Actions for this week for those who are Already Established In Running Your Architectural Practice
If you are still a Sole Trader, explore with your accountant the best time and transition to Incorporation. Ditto with your PI insurer on the potential implications
Is your website cluttered with too many projects? Cull to those that best demonstrate your passion and unique selling proposition. Ensure the written messaging compliments the visual. Walk what you talk. Be yourself
Widen your network beyond the closed circle of architecture. Kids make this easier, as it naturally comes up in School conversations. If not - COVID walks also make this easier as you may be coming more familiar with businesses in your very local community while working from home, other dog owners, think laterally - we are in a mini-boom
Think of someone you can mentor – no need for a full-on notes like this! – just one past student, or younger person will do: begin by simply sharing this note:
That’s It. 9am. Get your 2nd or 3rd coffee on, crush your day job / current client commitments.
Comment on this post or email me privately with the Action you have taken.
Tiny habits, repeated, compound in incredible ways.
You have until 5pm Friday :)
Until Friday,
Andrew Donaldson
Note 009 done and dusted! Please give me any feedback whatsoever, I would love to hear from you - after all, this is for you :)
PS - if you have a friend, colleague, or archi-buddy that you think would benefit from Andrew’s Notes, please feel free to send this to them or share with the button below: - lets grow this tribe :)