Design Like A Wave

Dear Designer,

I’m from California (Sacramento area), but I’ve never been surfing.

In fact, the ocean is a mysterious place I’d rather not play in.

I’m probably missing out, I know.

However, I caught this huge W.A.V.E. once, and have never really broken free of it.

It’s not a “wave” made of water and it doesn’t operate according to physics.

It’s a philosophy to use when dealing with life’s ups and down.

When learning to design your life, instead of allowing external forces to design it for you, you can, instead, “learn” from the external in order to create internal actions that can really make a difference.

If you are looking, your brain will hyperfocus.

…like using a wave to create a learning framework to improve your current lifestyle results.

Who knows…it just might end up taking you to a place you’ve never been before.

That’s…what life’s all about.

Keep designing,
Josh

Today’s Design Theory

^{(Why theory? Ideas are theories until YOU test, prove, and adopt the results into the fibers of your identity.)}

Waves are all about letting the energy and flow of the swell move within and beyond your immediate objective, (like surfing).

There are different actions to take based on the lifecycle and shape of the wave.

There are 3 concepts that waves lend themselves to.

(Don’t worry, you’ll stay dry the entire time.)

These 3 acronyms add up to 10 + 1 = 11 different words that stem from the wave concept.

Hence, the “Hang 10 + 1” Resilience Formula was born.

("Hang ten" is a surfing maneuver where the surfer stands at the front of the board with all ten toes hanging over the nose. It’s considered a difficult and advanced maneuver to perform. The surfer must find the right wave, get the board in the right position, and use their skills to perform the maneuver, usually only possible on a longboard.)

W.A.V.E.

Life.

What a concept.

One minute things are incredible. Hope for a “smooth ride” or a “bright future” is so evident it’s sometimes tangible.

Yet other moments reveal danger, disaster, or damage.

I remember when I was 17 years old. I was a senior in high school, just about to graduate.

The teacher was “trying” to teach us something, but, my mind was in another place.

I was thinking about my life after graduation.

I remember looking at a busy street through the classroom door that was open.

I watched as car after car zoomed.

Life seemed so busy, so complicated.

Was I ready?

We all have moments in life when we aren’t sure what to do.

It happens a lot, simply because we weren’t given a handbook to live our life and make decisions from.

Or…were we?

The truth is, we’ve got enough, and to spare. We can draw from everything around us to learn from so that we can create whatever kind of life we want. Here’s where to begin:

The 4 letter acronym for W.A.V.E.:

Welcome: Life is unexpected. But, no matter what comes your way, decide RIGHT NOW to “welcome” it all. I believe everything can be used for good, so there really is no bad…ever. Resolve to “act” instead of “react” to life.

Accept: Realize you are the only person to make changes and create movement within the scenarios and circumstances you voluntarily and involuntarily are put in. It’s called “taking responsibility.” You’re the only force and the only change agent. You can do extraordinary things no matter the circumstance.

Validate: Life isn’t about just sitting on the couch flipping through channels. It’s about “deciding what to do with the time that is given to you,” (Fellowship of the Rings reference). Brainstorm. Involve others. Decide on a response or course of action.

Execute: Action is the only way. Failure only exists when you decide to quit. Feedback is what you get in response to all action. Always have a bias toward action. Get off the fence and you’ll figure it all out quicker. Time doesn’t wait for the indecisive (speaking from experience).

H.I.G.H.

Ocean waves, sound waves, they have their own anatomy. The top most is called the crest. The bottom most, the trough.

When the wave is about to break, that is where the expert surfer finds themselves. Then, the adventure begins.

When the surfer AND the wave are ready, the only thing left to do is to “Ride The Wave.”

Life is a lot like that.

Waves, or life events, come and go.

We can liken the wave to opportunity, to our energy in the moment, or to synergy within a team, or a market segment ready to have its needs fulfilled.

But, it’s less about the wave, and more about our position amid life’s waters.

Let’s say, a wave is like the energy of the moment, you’re resources and excitement, all coming together at the crest of opportunity.

What will you choose to do at that particular crossroad?

Here are some ideas using the 4 letter acronym for H.I.G.H.:

Handle It: When it’s “high time” to resolve a problem or situation, when the moment is right both internally and externally, it’s time to resolve it. When you are ready and your energy is aligned, take action and do your best to progress toward a solution.

Innovate: Whenever a fire isn’t needing to be put out, creative thinking and ideation should be prioritized. When energy is high, a team is synergistically charged, or funding and resources are abundant, this is when innovation takes a front seat to other priorities.

Get It Done: Are you ahead of schedule? Is there more time on your calendar than expected? These are the times to complete, to wrap up, to resolve. Using the “wave” anatomy, “ride the wave” when the timing is perfect…or almost perfect.

Have Fun: A friend of mine once told me, “If it’s not fun, then why do it?” He’s mostly right. Enjoying the work, the project, the creating…isn’t that more meaningful then drudgery or resentful action? Be sure, through all of this, that you are enjoying the journey.

L.O.W.

But, what about those times when energy is low, opportunity seems scarce, and you’re all alone in your journey?

This is life, too, isn’t it?!

No one is invincible. Let’s error on the side of being transparent and human.

And, when the timing is not ideal or the rhythm is off, perhaps there’s another set of actions to employ that fit better.

Get this…

I’ve dealt with a mental illness for roughly 20 years.

Bipolar…and, we can add, Attention Deficit Disorder or “A.D.D.”

There are days when I struggle to take action because my energy just isn’t there.

It’s caused tremendous heartache at times.

However, you can’t ignore the reality of what your body is telling you.

Sometimes, you’re just not feeling it.

What do you do? Do you just force yourself to do it anyway?

Sometimes…sure.

But, what if that’s not a good idea?!

Here’s another alternative we can learn to use when the waves of life are less active and more subdued.

The 3 letter acronym for L.O.W.:

Let It Go: You and I probably chase ideals too often. What’s an “ideal?” It’s like the horizon, always moving toward it, but it’s impossible to arrive to because it isn’t well defined. Often, we could let things go or say “No” in order to adjust and recalibrate. Removing off of our plate what we shouldn’t have committed to in the first place could be the next best thing.

Observe: Life is about learning. Do we do that enough? Understanding how we are feeling, where in our bodies our stress shows up…this is just as important as completing a task or hitting a deadline. What brought you to this low energy state anyway? Why is it hard to create completion or results right now? Cause and effect…figure it out. Just slowing down when the moment allows can be a healthy and productive way to move forward.

Wait: There really are rarely any “once in a life time” events or opportunities. Arguably, there are a few. However, the ebs and flows of life do just that, eb and flow. There will be a time in the future where execution and completion have their place. Sometimes, however, we just need to wait it out.

Final Thoughts

The “Hang 10 + 1” Resilience Formula can apply to everyone, but especially to individuals trying to leverage opportunity and get ahead in life.

Why?

Because it’s individuals like you who are “ready for that next wave.”

Keep going. Keep trying. Keep doing your best.

And…when the waves and variability come in the market place, in opportunity, in your health and energy…you’ll be ready because now you know a framework you can use to be successful in any circumstance.

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I Speak. I Write Songs. I Sing.

I have 4 Keynote Concert / Closing Speaker topics that I talk about:

• Open Doors: Unlocking The Doors To Life’s Journey. How Stepping Through Life’s Doors Can Help You Find Fulfillment.

• The Purpose F.L.O. Formula: F.I.N.D., L.I.V.E., and O.F.F.E.R. Your Best Self. How To Create a Life of Meaning and True Legacy.

• The W.A.V.E. Method: A “Hang 10 + 1” Resilience Formula: How To Weather The Ups and Downs of Life and Energy

• Design Life: What Are You Waiting For? How to Move Past the Passive Approach To Living and On To Purposeful Thriving.

Here’s my Demo Reel:

What’s unique about my Keynote and Send Off Speeches is that I tell three stories and sing three original songs.

This is unlike any other speaking concept you’ve probably heard of.

I speak about mental health, entrepreneurship, overcoming life’s obstacles, and more.

Here’s one of my original songs (which is part of my Setup portion, the beginning of my speech):

Book a call to discuss what kinds of speaking collaborations we can discuss.

I also write theme songs for events, which are, truly impactful for the event owners and attendees alike, an emotionally charged marketing asset.

(See joshholladay.com for more info)

1. Book a call.

2. Let’s talk about your event or a possible song you want written and sung by me.

Pincel: AI Generated “Design Life” Logo

I searched long and hard for an AI tool that would take my logo and create a theme out of it. (Wasn’t easy.)

So, I’ll save you the time and tell you about it.

It’s one of the best AI tools I’ve found that keeps the integrity of your logo. Here’s what I did to generate multiple logo versions:

• I loaded up my logo mark

• Typed in a brief prompt: “a cloud in the blue sky realistic in the morning”

• Set “readability” to 2.11

• It generated this lovely design.

(I’m an affiliate. Click on the section below to sign up and get started, FREE and paid options.)

Keep designing,

—Josh