Long Time Comin'

Four years ago - a senior in High School - I sat at a desk contemplating my next move on a school project. Graphic Design 1 had challenged me with an assignment to come up with a logo. There were no parameters, and all we had to do was come up with something we thought looked awesome or meant something to us. As I flipped through my old sketchbook looking for some inspiration, I came across a rough sketch I had done several years before and I began working to bring the idea to fruition.

What resulted was indeed, awesome. Montana is the only state with one area code, so why not smash the outline of the state with the numbers, 406.

In the years after the creation, this logo has sparked interest from many parties, some even wanting to buy the rights. Friends encouraged me to do something with it, and family pleaded that I start making clothing. Sadly, all this badgering didn't convince me to stop being lazy and start making clothing with the logo. 

Laziness began to fight me, and lack of money finished the job. 

My dream has always been to make something, and design things my own way. It took until this last year for me to finally realize that this logo might be my starting point. I finally worked up the effort to go out and order shirts. By the time I received them I had already sold them, and was out before the end of the first day. It was a long time comin' for these shirts and family wanted them.

I ordered the next batch, and again, out in the first day. The reception from friends was astonishing, and the interest from third parties was confidence boosting. 

Now... I won't go on, and I won't bore you any more with the journey of my idea, because there is a reason to this post. An underlying message that I have to tell. 

The message is simple, and often overused. Life is too short. 

Why would you do something that you don't enjoy. Why do laziness, procrastination, and wrong motivations get in the way of true happiness. Now is the time to find a job that you love, start doing it, and never stop doing it. Regardless of limitations, there is always a way. 

I often find myself comparing my success to that of my peers. This is wrong. Everyone has their own story, their own things that make them happy, and their own desires. It is my intention to find that thing that is going to make me the most happy, because why would I want any less? Why would you want any less? 

I hope that you go out, and you find you passion, and then you never look back. Work in what you love, because that is where you are going to find the most success. 

With all this said, I have no idea where my design is going to take me, if this idea is even going to be successful, or even if the only people who like it are just my friends and family. But what I do know, is that it's teaching me valuable lessons. Its allowing me to be creative, and to follow a dream of mine. Something I created is becoming something. Where it will go, your guess is as good as mine. But what I do know, is that it is something I thoroughly enjoy, and I do not intend for laziness to get the best of me again. As long as it is in my power to do the things I love, I'm going to do them, and I suggest you do the same. 

You'll be better for it, I guarantee it 

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