Welcome to the third edition of Things Once Said, a curated list of words, work, and wisdom that have inspired me recently.
I have long said that as designers, we cannot care about what words look like without caring about what those words are. In this classic article from A List Apart, Scott Kubie examines the power of words as an effective and efficient design tool, and I could not agree more. The article is also filled with practical tips and strategies.
Words are one of the most powerful design materials available. They convey deeply complex meanings in a compact space. They load fast. They’re easy to manipulate and easy to transmit. And the best part is, you don’t have to invent any of them! You just have to use them.
Featuring Scott Kubie.
This recent episode of Case Kenny’s New Mind Who Dis? podcast has stayed with me. It challenges our viewpoint and definition of true freedom.
So for me, real, genuine, soulful freedom, the purpose of life isn’t about having access to everything and doing whatever you want to be. It’s having the balls the courage to strip away everything that doesn’t resonate with who you really are. It’s no longer needing to perform for anyone else.
Featuring Case Kenny.
Tim Urban uses humour to unpack and humanise different perspectives and experiences around procrastination and the importance of overcoming it. Helpful, insightful, and a great call to action at the end.
Featuring Tim Urban.
As a lifelong aficionado of information models and methods for structuring content, information and the like, I value discovering different approaches and exploring fresh models. I found the PARA Method for organising your digital life fascinating, simple, and logical.
When you break down your responsibilities into bite-sized projects, you ensure that your project list is constantly turning over. This turnover creates a cadence of regular victories that you get to celebrate every time you successfully complete a project. Imagine how motivated and accomplished you’d feel by breaking out the broad area of “Events” into each individual event you’re running.
Featuring Tiago Forte (Hat tip to Tina Roth Eisenberg).
The New Happy has a beautiful knack for visualising powerful truths in simple yet impactful ways. This one from earlier in the year stood out to me.
Featuring The New Happy.
Thanks for joining me for Vol. 3 of Things Once Said. If you enjoyed this issue, please check out the previous editions and subscribe for weekly updates.