Here's my new criterion for collaborative endeavors: I only want to work with individuals who deeply and intuitively resonate with their roles and skillsets, those who subconsciously engage with the task they are hired or invited to perform.
There can be few exceptions to this rule. For instance, if you are a singer-songwriter, you should be consumed with thoughts about crafting melodies and lyrics, especially during your downtime. Aspiring engineers should be contemplating code optimization and software architecture, and scalability solutions should occupy their minds.
Designers, on the other hand, should be consistently compiling mood boards, analyzing successful designs and brands, and considering intriguing color combinations, fonts, and the like.
If you aim to be a pastor, your thoughts should frequently gravitate towards ways of supporting people on their spiritual paths. Event organizers should be infatuated with attending, studying, planning, and progressively improving their events.
In essence, I'm not interested in partnering with individuals who aren't passionately dedicated to their fields. They should be so engrossed in their work that it's almost uncontrollable, a compelling desire.
I have encountered too many individuals unsure of their identities, abilities, and life goals, and I no longer have the patience for such ambiguity. I insist on clarity.
I'm more than willing to mentor individuals who are genuinely committed to making a positive impact on the world. However, when it comes to jointly building or founding something, or even joining a team as an advisor, I expect to see exceptional craftsmanship and mastery. Anything less is a red flag to me. I simply don't have the time for mediocrity.
