Big Announcement
It started with one question: If you had enough money to spend your days any way you liked, what would you do with your days?
Of course I would exercise and read more, spend more time with my friends, etc. But regarding architecture, which is what this blog is about, I would not leave it. I would practice it in a different way, in a different setting, and for fewer hours, but I would still spend my days working on architecture.
It would look like this:
- Running an architecture practice with colleagues I respect and enjoy
- Doing work that makes the world a better place
- Having fun solving problems and innovating
- Heavily involved in the architecture community at large, helping to improve our profession
- Working in a collaborative environment filled with trust, support, and respect for all team members
- Working no more than 40 hours per week, and able to take extended breaks periodically
That’s a tall order, but I like a challenge. Since I decided to realize this vision, I’ve been working toward it every day. That was about two years ago, and I’m making good headway.
Although I currently still work as an architect at a large firm, I am in the process of forming an architecture practice, with a few partners, that only does collaborative projects.
Through this blog and my twitter account (@oscia_wilson) you can follow our progress of forming a new firm.
Will we succeed? Odds are stacked against us.
Is it terrifying? Absolutely.
Do I wish I could just be happy keeping my head down and collecting a paycheck for 50 years? You betcha.
Nonetheless, I keep going because the thought of disappointing myself by never trying at all is even more terrifying than failure.
So stay tuned and wish us luck!
P.S. If you’re thinking, “Is she crazy? What if her employer finds out she’s starting a firm on the side!?” Well, worry not.
- There’s nothing in my contract or employee manual that forbids moonlighting.
- I’m not positioning the new firm to compete in the same market sector as my current employer, so I’m no threat to them.
- I err on the side of openness and honesty because I believe in abundance. If I get let go, it simply means I’ll have more time to pursue my dreams.
- I’m a free agent in a free world, and my firm doesn’t own me.
P.P.S. You should read The 4-Hour Work Week, by Tim Ferriss, unless you’re a bitter and mistrusting person then nevermind there’s no point in reading anything at all that doesn’t just reinforce your own narrow view of the world. Cheers!
