1. I LOVE what I do.

Since I was a child my dream has been to create life. My childhood is full of  designing, creating and learning stuff constantly. It puts me in “flow” to do those things.

2. Thinking is challenging.

As more I have to think, as more I understand why the majority of humans avoid doing it.

3. Writing is not easy.

I found writing especially painful because I do not have the proper basic skills. However, I will not quit. I know I am not going to be Shakespeare because writing is not in my system. I just want the basic skills to finish my PhD. Hence, now I am in the process of unlearning and learning. Perseverance!!! As Winston Churchill said: “Never give in. Never give in. Never, Never, Never.”

Ok, I am also asking for a miracle, otherwise I will die in the process to be honest.

3. The PhD process has helped me to discover myself.

To learn to focus is VERY HARD. I think is challenging for any PhD student. But, I think it is a relevant process that contributes to a self-discovery too.

4. I am thankful when referees of my work give constructive comments.

Constructive comments, promotes healthy growth. Thanks to one of my referees, I got to know Nigel Cross. After I read one of his books, a big smile emerged. Today I can articulate one of my strengths: I am good in design.

My supervisor, Erkki, told me about my strength earlier. But I was not able to understand him. Perhaps, I was not ready to understand. Honestly and as surprisingly as it might sound, it has taken me decades to realize that I like to design, and that I am good at it. Anyway, better later than never 😉

Now I can identify with other designers. Yes, I think on paper as they do. I specially identify with this quote:

“The way designer work may be inexplicable, no for some romantic or mystical reason, but simply because these processes lie outside the bounds of verbal discourse: they are literally indescribable in linguistic terms.”

I FULLY AGREE!!!!  One sketch can say much more than a whole book. There are experiences that cannot be put in word, one must only live them.

I see solutions, and I work in a cyclic process of discovery solution-challenges. For me things are not linear, are cyclic and dimensional, and bunch of other stuff which I cannot articulate.

Actually, even philosophers such as Burke had already expressed how words put limits. This quote of him gets in my heart:

“Even if a given terminology is a reflection of reality, by its very nature as a terminology it must be a selection of reality; and to this extent it must function also as a deflection of reality”.

Yes, I admire anyone who has the gift of the words. But let’s be honest, different types of intelligence exist. I guess at some point science will have to contemplate other ways to show scientific contribution besides just using the words. Ok, I know it will not happen in my time, thus I have to succeed within the traditional school. But I hope time will come and things will evolve.

To finalize a video of a talented friend, Franci Cronje, which I think it matches this post. She has another perspective, but it also gives food for the though.