Soar to new heights in your personal life and professional practice with the WINGBEAT Newsletter full of Birds, Business, and Beyond.
Wingbeat | Intro to the Ugly Duckling
|
Today in 5 Minutes or Less
Winging It!Welcome to the Flying Solo newsletter "Wingbeat." The Flying Solo journey has grown out of my search to find the 'right fit' in professional practice. I worked at three different firms filled with incredible people and projects. But I felt there was something missing. I felt caged - there was a whole world of clients I couldn't serve within the confines of these firms. Architectural practice could help more people - do more good in the communities I hoped to work in. After years of planning - I struck out on my own. It wasn't because I was ready, or good enough. I decided it was time to see if I could fly on my own. Even though I didn't meet the qualifications - I hired myself as principal architect of my firm. There would be a three year window to prove I deserved the position. Worst case scenario: I go back to working for another architecture firm. It is now four years later, I am paddling along maybe not as gracefully as a swan, but at least I'm a less ugly duckling. At times, we all feel like the Ugly Duckling - like we don't fit in. I appreciate Meaghan Jette Martin saying I think the best way to deal with fitting in is to be yourself. It sounds hard, but in the end, it's much easier than pretending to be something you're not. Starting my own firm helped me find myself in a striking way. I could test my wings to see what I was capable of. I was also confronted with my faults which I needed to address and improve. I embraced who I wanted to become - not just who I was when I left the other architecture firm. Accepting ourselves can lead to growth. It is a leap of faith to lean into the qualities that make us unique in a positive way. To develop confidence in a different approach because it works with your unique strengths. We all still need to work on weaknesses and failure. But it is the way we react to our own failures that best defines us. Flying Solo means finding your unique voice and leaning into your strengths, then building a business and marketing strategy that work for you to serve your community. Don't be afraid to test your wings and fly after your dreams! Keep Flying! Katie Kangas Alli's JourneyMeet Alli - an ugly duckling with her head in the clouds. She doesn't fit in with her fluffy siblings. She's terribly curious how other birds nest, hunt and fly. She thinks if she can learn how to do what they do. Maybe she could fly towards her dreams too.
Everyday, @flyingsoloarch is posting to uplift your mood and encourage you to soar to new heights in your personal and professional practice. Follow us on Instagram for the latest:
|
Flying Solo
Soar to new heights in your personal life and professional practice with the WINGBEAT Newsletter full of Birds, Business, and Beyond.
Flight Notes When little things bother me, I just hope to hear someone I trust say these three words, “As you wish.” That phrase reminds me of the reliable, glad-to-be-of-service attitude of Wesley in the Princess Bride. It reassures me that someone is fixing my problem. I naturally trust someone who can solve the little annoyances and pet peeves that can upset my day. It lets me know two things about that person. First, they know me well enough to identify the little problems that get under...
Flight Notes Aspiring architects are given a strict path of education (3-8 years), experience (3,740 hours), and exams (over 500 questions split into 6 exams). Becoming a licensed architect takes years of focus towards a single goal. It doesn’t leave much time for other things along the way. It’s no surprise that many professionals with such rigorous training seem to have a singular persona. From the public’s perception a doctor, dentist, lawyer, college professor, or architect may as well be...
Welcome back to Wingbeat! Throughout February, I translated the bird archetypes I’ve been building into a series of watercolor studies. Needless to say this took over my availability to write this newsletter. Coming back to writing after a month of exploration resulted in a new business fable, which you may read below. I'd love any feedback or comments you may have! Just reply to this email. Keep Flying! Katie Kangas Feathery Fable There were five birds consulting together in the wild. They...