How to Say No Like a Boss - Margot Harrington

Margot Harrington gave this talk at Weapons of Mass Creation Fest 2012 in Cleveland, OH. Her description of this talk is, "So you've got networking down, you got a few connections in the design field, and before you know it you're busy with all sorts of interesting projects. Congrats! You've achieved every creative person's dream! Too bad you're delirious from lack of sleep, you have an anxious ulcer slowly brewing in your gut, and your hand is stuck in a permanent claw from grasping your mouse. Oh no! You've taken on too much because – spoiler alert – saying no is really freaking hard to do. This talk is about figuring out how and when to say no comfortably without feeling guilty. In short, it's going to be a 30 minute therapy sesh on how not to go crazy or burn bridges."

Transcript

1. Hiya, my
   name’s Margot!
   @pitchdesign
   pitchdesignunion.com
   cargocollective.com/pitchdesignunion
   Thursday, July 26, 12
   

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2. Thursday, July 26, 12
   

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3. Why do we do this to ourselves,
   again & again?
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4. Because yes is our default way of working.
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5. Saying no is hard / but it allows you to
   develop & shape your pursuits better.
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6. But where to start? And how?
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7. Getting your Hustle
   Straight & your
   Commitments Sorted
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8. v
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9. + Draws on common childhood nostalgia
   + People have been tracing hands into
   bird shapes since prehistoric times
   + You’ll have a reminder of it everywhere
   you go, every time you use your hands
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10. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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11. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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12. + 5 universal steps
    + Tailor them to your own specifics
    + End goal: happier process, more
    confidence, more sleeping
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13. Pinky finger:
    Define your Brand
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14. + Your work comes from a deeper place,
    you have to define it for yourself and to
    the world.
    + Make it official. Nail that
    sucker down in some way.
    + Refer back to it when you’re faced with
    a prospect that challenges your
    brand or tries to modify how you work.
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15. My approach to my
    brand starts with the
    ampersand.
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16. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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17. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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18. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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19. And, the Typeface at Uppercase Gallery in Calgary Canada, 2009
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20. And, the Typeface at Typeforce #1, Chicago 2010
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21. I refuse to settle for design as merely
    decoration. My best work comes when
    I run my own process with clients &
    collaborators who are rooted in
    progressive values & cultural growth.
    I also require time to maintain a blog
    because of the empowerment it gives
    me & my readers.
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22. Ring finger:
    How you Hustle
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23. + Right people, right places.
    + Sell it, follow through & then have an
    end-game.
    + Trust & respect = more value.
    + You are your network.
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24. Middle finger:
    $$$
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25. + Know what’s coming in / going out.
    + It gets easier every year.
    + Practice your negotiation tactics.
    + Wheeling & dealing can be fun if you let it.
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26. Thursday, July 26, 12
    

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27. I refuse to settle for design as merely
    decoration. My best work comes when
    I run my own process with clients &
    collaborators who are rooted in
    progressive values and cultural growth.
    I also require the time to maintain a
    blog because of the empowerment it
    offers me & my readers.
    Pointer finger:
    Time Management
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28. + Are you prepared to give something else
    up if you say yes?
    + Check your calendar constantly.
    + There will be signs if you’re working too
    much, don’t ignore them.
    + Enforce time off, it is precious. You can’t
    innovate if you’re exhausted.
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29. Thumb:
    The Work
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30. + The work is influenced by every other
    part of your life.
    + The more you tweak your other three
    fingers the better your work will be.
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31. In conclusion:
    This is your guide to
    No.
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32. "There's no need to sharpen your
    pencils anymore. The pencils, they
    are sharp enough. Even the dull ones
    will make a mark. Warts and all, let's
    start this shit up. And dear god, let's
    make it fun, life isn't just a sequence
    of waiting for things to be done."
    - ze frank, 2012
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33. Thank you!
    @pitchdesign
    pitchdesignunion.com
    cargocollective.com/pitchdesignunion
    Any Qs?
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