How to deal with a disability in the design competitive industry? By laughing at myself, to be honest with you. Don’t get me wrong here, having a disability made me even stronger. So, by “dealing” with it, I change my perspective on seeing things from another standpoint. And that my friend is how you can get ahead of the game in the design competitive industry.
I’m sure you all heard of this famous saying before (unless you live under a rock, which for that I say how is your Wi-Fi reception under there?):
In simpler terms, your attitude is what will ultimately give you the upper hand when it comes to a saturated market, such as the design industry.
In the end, it’s not about outsmarting the design industry with your amazing portfolio; it’s about being internally confident that your clients are stoked to see, hear, and work with you. Down below I will explain 3 top strategies that I use under my sleeve when I am dealing with my disability in the design industry:
MAKE YOUR FUTURE CLIENT FEEL COMFORTABLE AROUND YOU.
How? Name the Elephant in the Room. I like to state the obvious, adding some fun, salt, and pepper to the mix. Everyone is always prepared for interaction. We must go above and beyond to break that barrier. How? Give off a positive vibe. Remember, if you feel comfortable, they’ll feel comfortable as well. Make them with your charm want to cross the bridge with you, not for you. Remember you are in command, not your disability. You need to look at yourself and realize that you have the power to make things happen.
BE YOUR HILARIOUS SELF
How? By showing witty, not pity. This will immediately portray the confident vibes you are giving off. By showing them that your disability is not important to you, you are relieving the pressure off them and they can move on. By making a joke out of the situation, you are showing them that you know who you are as a person as well as a dog, cat, and yes even a unicorn.
LET THE HONESTY FLY GO
How? Be open to yourself and the true reasons why you got into design and how your work reflects that. Disclose something about yourself – finding common ground and leave the pressure of having a disability for a different reason; your true reason why design is your passion. Be the person who has direction and the self-assuredness to be at ease in all settings.
Overall, by hitting it off not only in your work but in your positive attitude as well. In life, people will be comfortable with your design in general if you yourself are comfortable with it. It’s because of them that I embrace my different qualities. By making you laugh at it, I get you to think about acceptance. I made you a strategy checklist so you can follow them easily. All you have to do is click on the image below and it will direct you to a link to the pdf attached to it. I want to hear your opinion. How do YOU break the barrier?
