We asked folks we admire to share one piece of conventional advice that they disagree with.

Matthew W. Townsend | Product Designer & Founder: Freeform Made

There are times in life and work where you have to run a deficit. Emotionally, mentally, relationally, fiscally, there are times when you’re required to give in excess of your sustainable ability. Personally, when we were in the final stages of completing the Criterion Building at 400 Bryan Ave., we were at the end of our budget and I had to jump in to complete a host of items. I was working 16 hours a day weeks. It wasn’t sustainable but it had to get done. It was needed for that season. I have seen the busy person become oddly exalted in our success driven society. It’s a badge of honor to be busy. I have found, for me, that pace is not conducive to creative thought or critical thought. More recently, I’ve been trying to push back on being so busy. I am trying to work less so I have time to be more creative. Read more>>

MONNA | Stand Up Comedian & Owner/Producer of “Claws Out Comedy”

I was always told to work within the rules that are presented to me and to find what box I fit in. I think it’s very important to take a step back and recognize that there can always be new rules and there’s nothing stopping any of us from creating new boxes. If you don’t fit into a box, then that should motivate you to create your own. The chances are that if you’re feeling that way then you’re not alone and there are people out there just like you waiting for someone to create a space for them and allow them to feel like they have a box they finally fit into. When someone says no, it’s not rejection as much as it is permission to find a better opportunity. Read more>>

Caleb Hinojosa | Musician

The biggest piece of conventional advice I disagree with is the old adage, “do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life”. Even though I absolutely love being a musician and a creative person, It is still a job like any other and I must work every day to make my dreams a reality. Being a musician is not easy, you must be devoted, willing to work long hours for little to no pay, and be constantly available when ever an artist calls. There are days that I wake up and the last thing I want to do is create music. Those days are the days that test your love for you do the most. I find that on those days the thing that helps me push through is thinking back to how far I have come in my journey and thinking about the dreams of where I want to go. To be a successful creative person, you will have to work everyday – but if you love what you do enough, you will always find a way through the hard days. Read more>>