Some insightful lessons from Wieden+Kennedy’s Executive Creative Director, John C Jay. Although focused from a design perspective, I feel that these lessons would apply just as well for anyone working within the creative industry. Via AIGA.

1: Be authentic. The most powerful asset you have is your individuality, what makes you unique. It’s time to stop listening to others on what you should do.

2: Work harder than anyone else and you will always benefit from the effort. 

3: Get off the computer and connect with real people and culture. Life is visceral. 

4: Constantly improve your craft. Make things with your hands. Innovation in thinking is not enough. 

5: Travel as much as you can. It is a humbling and inspiring experience to learn just how much you don’t know. 

6: Being original is still king, especially in this tech-driven, group-grope world. 

7: Try not to work for stupid people or you’ll soon become one of them.

8: Instinct and intuition are all-powerful. Learn to trust them. 

9: The Golden Rule actually works. Do good. 

10: If all else fails, No. 2 is the greatest competitive advantage of any career.

Check out the full story at EdwinHimself’s blog here.