Saw this on BoingBoing today: the transcript of an address by Milton Glaser regarding 10 things he’s learned as a designer. The transcript itself is thoughtful and filled with insight, so you should read it, but here’s the list:

1. YOU CAN ONLY WORK FOR PEOPLE THAT YOU LIKE.
2. IF YOU HAVE A CHOICE NEVER HAVE A JOB.
3. SOME PEOPLE ARE TOXIC AVOID THEM.
4. PROFESSIONALISM IS NOT ENOUGH or THE GOOD IS THE ENEMY OF THE GREAT.
5. LESS IS NOT NECESSARILY MORE.
6. STYLE IS NOT TO BE TRUSTED.
7. HOW YOU LIVE CHANGES YOUR BRAIN.
8. DOUBT IS BETTER THAN CERTAINTY.
9. SOLVING THE PROBLEM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN BEING RIGHT.
10. TELL THE TRUTH.

I’ve felt a lot of these thing, but have not seen them expressed so clearly before. I particularly liked his toxicity test for people:

[…] the important thing that I can tell you is that there is a test to determine whether someone is toxic or nourishing in your relationship with them. Here is the test: You have spent some time with this person, either you have a drink or go for dinner or you go to a ball game. It doesn’t matter very much but at the end of that time you observe whether you are more energised or less energised. Whether you are tired or whether you are exhilarated. If you are more tired then you have been poisoned. If you have more energy you have been nourished. The test is almost infallible.

Yes.