Quality and convention

Applications…don’t even get me started.

For one of my applications I had to write a 150 word essay on what I did to maintain the quality of my output. It made me formulate two sentences essential to my concept of excellence;

Quality is a process, not an instantaneous occurrence.

A great result is most often the result of time, perseverance and continuous alterations and improvements. Don’t get me wrong, I would love to have a strike of genius without any kind of premeditation. But most good ideas require thought, research and dialogue. Most good ideas require internal; self criticism and external; feedback and input.

Never sacrifice quality for conventionality.

No, conventional and qualitative are not mutually exclusive; some ‘products’ even become qualitative because they fit certain standards. However, when the choice stands between mainstream and magnificent, it is not a hard one to make. I’m not saying bend the rules or not even wiggle the framework. Just that only doing what you are supposed to do is often less than all that you can do.

I might not be a creative whiz, and I might even like to play it safe, but sometimes when I can present regular with a twist, routine and convention seem all that less interesting.

The essay landed on exactly 150 words, making use of every opportunity I was given to shed light on myself…it’s tough to know quality when you don’t know convention…cross your fingers x

Let the wild rumpus begin?

People seem to think that now that I am graduated, life should be all candy and pink roses. But the reality of it is slightly different, while some exclaim freedom, relief and new starts, I feel like Max, going where the wild things are.

There are no more scheduled vacations, classes, exams or grades. I’m setting into a forest of unknown; future employers, council tax, 9-6 work, professional development, so much potential. Yet, I am the first to admit, it is a bit like facing up to the monsters, getting to know them, and conquering them if you will.

Max was right to stare his monsters steadily in the eye, if nothing else, then to overcome his own alarm. Small and new does not necessarily mean inferior. However it might just mean you have to work a little harder.

Wild rumpus? Sure, I will admit to some emotional commotion. Going out to be measured and weighted by a whole new set of criteria. Who wouldn’t feel overwhelmed?

Now this might all seem like a campaign of self conviction, but the truth of the matter is advancement and alterations are great gifts. Newness always carries with it the ambivalence of fear and excitement. Where would we be without the occasional fuss and fizzy? Isn’t it just the prize we pay to be going somewhere?

And if I am presented the chance to grow a little bit wiser and a little bit stronger. Who am I to shy away? I say: let the wild rumpus begin!