Ruby Ku - Latest Comments

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

Ruby Ku — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 16:00:50 -0000

Same here... ! Are you moving from NYC? Which day will you get to Austin? I will be there by Aug 25. Thanks for dropping by :)

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

muddpup — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:45:21 -0000

great post and timely for me as well. i am relocating for the program too. can't wait to meet everyone and start the learning adventure. :)

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

Ruby Ku — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:20:30 -0000

Hi Christina! Thanks for reaching out! I've also been doing my fair share of stalking the AC4D'ers... :)

Thanks so much for the link. I loved what Paula Scher said - especially "Failure is when you have the ability to fix it. It's important to know the difference" and "in order to make the breakthrough again, to go up again, you either have to fail or be unqualified for a job where you don't know what you're doing". Engineers Without Borders Canada actually published something which they called the 'Failure Report' - I think that's brilliant.

This wasn't an easy decision for me as I didn't come from a design background, and I'm quitting my current job in order to move to Austin - but it's something I know I have to do.

I'm taking your offer for going around town for good food. That'll totally make me feel better :) Can't wait to meet you and thanks for the message again!

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

Stinatran — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 13:17:07 -0000

Hi! I'm one of the other AC4D'ers, and I'm already stalking everyone with web links and/or Twitter. I freaked out a lot while I was making the decision about applying to AC4D, so I'm oddly calm now that the decisions have been made--but I do commiserate. Great words of wisdom and advice. Here's some more from Paula Scher: "When you're fulfilling a function—when you're being obedient, in other words, you're doing as expected—you can't learn anything. Because you already know the answer. It's through mistakes that you actually can grow." http://www.psychologytoday....

("mistake" and "failure" are relative words, as we designers know.)

And when you get into town, we'll show you around the best eats -- good food with likeminded people always makes me feel better. ;)

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

Ruby Ku — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 23:37:26 -0000

Thanks Akhila, for all the support and encouragement. You're also right - about needing to do it "now". Can't wait to share with you what I'll be learning and hear what you think :)

Re: Rule #1: Don’t freak out

Akhila — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 20:54:25 -0000

What a wonderful, inspiring post! You're right -- there are so many reasons not to freak out, and a lot of things to be hopeful and optimistic about. Best of luck with your new journey. I believe you'll do amazing things!

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Fionho713 — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 23:09:50 -0000

luv reading your blogs - keep them coming!!

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Ruby Ku — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:31:34 -0000

Thanks for the quote, Kristle. And thank you for sharing your story with me. Everytime I feel uncomfortable about the unknowns and want to turn around from the path I have already started, I think of you. You ARE a modern day superhero.

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Ruby Ku — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:26:48 -0000

Thanks for being so supportive through all this time. My portfolio wouldn't be half as good without your help. Me + you = good team, as we really complement each other. 416 will always be home. And we'll always hold each other accountable.

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Ruby Ku — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:25:30 -0000

I have always loved your approach on posting what you've learned, in case other people might be able to learn something from it too. Thank you for writing :)

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Ruby Ku — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 00:22:52 -0000

Thank you Grace, for the kind words, and for the push :) When I get to Austin, it'll be much closer for me to visit Boulder!

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

kristlect — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:13:33 -0000

You are such an inspiring and sparkling gem, Ruby! I am so very excited for you as you take this big leap into the unknown. Fun, isn't it? And yes, totally scary. Give yourself permission to experience everything, learn whatever lessons surface and feel however you want about it. It's your life! You are entitled to all of it.

Let me offer you a little energy pack for your adventure...a big lesson I learned during my own journey in New York and incidentally, captured beautifully in the immortal words of Dr. Seuss:

"Today You are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than You."

Be true to yourself and the universe will have no choice but to conspire in your favour.

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Kristina Lugo — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 09:01:36 -0000

Ruby, I loved reading this post, especially understanding all that's been happening in your hiatus from the blogosphere! Remember that reflection IS action, and you have so many stories that need to be told and insight to be shared.

I'm so excited for you but equally dreading the day you leave the 416. Congrats again. You continue to make me proud and inspire me everyday =)

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Sacha Chua — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:59:37 -0000

Yay starting again! =)

Re: Starting again: the blog and the exploration

Grace Boyle — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:03:58 -0000

Aw, I didn't want you to feel guilty! ;) But it is largely why I wrote about it, because I feel this urge to blog somehow even when it seems near impossible...but I'm at least glad to see you here blogging again and expressing your opinion, because your ideas are so beautiful and provoking.

ALSO - CONGRATULATIONS on your acceptance. That is so exciting! I cannot wait to hear about your experiences.

Re: Taking Inspiration For Granted

Ruby Ku — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:06:14 -0000

Hmm. I think the first step is to DO something.. anything! The first step is always the hardest step. I find things like writing a life mission statement (http://www.allisonj.org/201... or a life list (http://www.mylifelist.org/) help as they get me thinking about what truly matters to me. Putting things on paper help too! You'll be surprised what a big difference it makes when you transfer your thoughts from your head to the piece of paper. Hope that helps - and thanks for dropping by.

Re: Taking Inspiration For Granted

Ruby Ku — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 22:00:03 -0000

Kristle! You say the nicest things while I'm constantly amazed by YOUR stories as a modern day superhero :) Thanks for the tips! Running definitely helps me too. I don't go to yoga as often as I would like, and painting is a GREAT idea that I'm going to try out next time. Speaking of challenging limits - do you go rockclimbing? Incredible experience. It really forces you to focus, remain calm, and take one step at a time. We need to meet again when you're back from Winnipeg! And I'll tell you all about Austin.

P.S I tried to leave a comment on your blog. I don't think it worked though.....

Re: Taking Inspiration For Granted

Anonymous — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 21:14:39 -0000

I know the feeling: the missing spark, the lack of fulfillment in the day-to-day living!
Nothing feels worse than a sense that you’re coasting through your life, devoid of fulfillment, enthusiasm, and joy. What to do?

Re: Taking Inspiration For Granted

kristlect — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 11:15:01 -0000

Dear Ruby: I totally get this! I think you are right that it is a conscious act to allow yourself to be inspired by something or someone. I have few go-to's to help me switch gears when I feel terribly uninspired. Running. Painting. Yoga. I find they help me challenge my limitations. It gets the blood pumping or creative juices flowing. (Not to mention a sudden influx of endorphins to put me in a happy state.) Or maybe it just makes me silence the voice of cynicism for a few minutes so that I can actually grow as a person. However it works, I don't know but I am glad that you found a way to let yourself be inspired and feel like YOU again. Dear Ruby - you inspire me! So great to see you yesterday. Have a wonderful time in Austin!

Re: The Tools

Sipho Ngwenya — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:40:36 -0000

We are waiting :)

Re: The One Week Job Project: 1 man, 1 year, 52 jobs

Ruby Ku — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 23:09:45 -0000

I know! Can't wait for the documentary - let's watch it together :)

Re: Passion - essentially what everyones sets out to look for I guess. It's not easy to find, so I think one should never give it up too easily if the passion is found.

Re: The One Week Job Project: 1 man, 1 year, 52 jobs

Fion — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:23:13 -0000

I can't wait to see the documentary! Finding your passion - this is certainly not an issue that only touches the younger generation, but one that extends to many individuals.

Re: You need people to re:Vision

Ruby Ku — Sat, 10 Apr 2010 18:58:37 -0000

Hey Kristle! Thanks for the comment. I don't think it's you "missing" important pieces of the conferences - since when I read your recap, I feel the same way. So we must have just been paying attention to different things...which is good!

I have been pondering on what you said for the last few days. I'm really not sure what the answer is, as once in awhile I still fall in the trap of thinking - "why doesn't everybody care already?" But one thing Matt Tod said at re:vision was that awareness creates choices, and choices could lead to change. Perhaps that's step 1. I think most people would be willing to change, if they have a better understanding of what the consequences are. Step 2 is actually learning the new way of doing things - which is much harder than step 1. I wrote about here before: http://www.rubyku.com/2009/....

I'm sure you have much more experience than I do when it comes to this, since that's what your company is set out to do. I'd love to hear more about your thoughts when it comes to behavioural change.

Empowerment is different from motivating. When I hear the word empowerment, I think of people who have been taught that they weren't allowed to make decisions/they won't make good decisions, then all of a sudden being liberated and that power has been restored so they can make their own decisions... I'm not sure.. still thinking about that one. Looking forward to your post!

Re: You need people to re:Vision

kristlect — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:11:38 -0000

I love the themes and messages you picked up on. Reading your post again I realize that I missed some of those important pieces or maybe I was focusing on others. At any rate, I am very keen to hear/read your thoughts on the "motivation" piece. I have been pondering this more and more and also have a post in the works!

I think what I have learned from a decade in the "environment" sector is that for the majority of people the impetus for real behaviour change is NOT going to be the "puppydogs and rainbows" message. (Although this connection can be good to raise awareness it's likely not a core driver for enough people to take tangible action.) It's more likely to be motivated by a desire to protect health or job security or reputation or money or autonomy, etc... I think those motivations are defined internally - and not really by the "carrot and stick". So maybe how we define "empowerment" needs to change? Ok your turn! :-)

Re: You need people to re:Vision

Renjie Butalid — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 12:08:15 -0000

Great post Ruby! Thanks for sharing your insight from the YSEC conference, it was definitely one of the best conferences of like-minded individuals that I have been to in a long while! :)