There are some words of advice that have stuck with me over the years – some were specific to being an architect, but most were generic to being a decent human being. Since I like to think both of those descriptors apply to me, I started to jot down all the pieces of advice I’ve read or received over the years that have stuck with me. Even though I don’t generally consider myself to be in a position to dole out life advice, but since I’ve been around the architectural block a time or two, I thought I would assemble all the words of wisdom I could think of and share them with you.

Perception is reality, it doesn’t always matter if you’re right or not

Architectural firms have different glass ceilings based on the job title – know what they are

Don’t send an email for everything, they live forever and get sent around

Never park directly in front of the bar

Have a nice messenger bag and take care of it

Eventually you are going to eat your vegetables, start early and get the benefits now

Take a walk with your spouse/ boyfriend/ girlfriend after dinner

Actually go home for dinner

Having a graduate degree in something other than architecture can actually make you a better architect

Every person you meet will either change your life or you’ll change theirs, act accordingly

Do what you say you’re going to do when you say you’re going to do it

Never get drunk at office functions, people will always remember it

Hand drawing is not a gift, it’s a skill. Practice.

Don’t eat your lunch at your desk

When someone asks you what you think of their house, tell them that you love it

Thank your waiter

Yelling rarely resolves matters

It’s easy to criticize, point out the positives

Keep your birthday cards

Order dessert first every once in a while

Don’t throw your cigarette butts on the ground or out the car window

Don’t bring your phone to the dinner table

Some people like drafting dots more than regular masking tape, it’s really not that big of a deal

Always use the word “we” when talking about your work

Don’t tell someone else that the food they’re eating looks gross

Have friends who aren’t other architects

Use your architectural skills to help out a charitable cause

It’s okay to play with toys as an adult

Take the interns out for lunch and pay for it

Don’t get your picture taken holding a cocktail

Take the blame and give the credit

People go to college to learn how to learn

If the firm justifies long hours as “just part of the training of interns” look for a different firm

Hire people who are smarter than you

Work on your vocabulary

Don’t get a tattoo on your face

Teach others when to use Elmer’s glue and when to use rubber cement

Don’t call someone a “Cad Monkey”

Learn how to weld

Reasons and Excuses sound a lot alike

Don’t drink by yourself

Being a good designer is more about giving people what they want, not what you want

No matter how great you think you are, until your name is on the door, be prepared to do what you are asked to do

Do what you will with these pearls of wisdom, ignore them or turn them into motivational stickers … They’ve generally worked pretty well for me. Cheers,