As Built Brian Jones and Patience Jones

Brian and Patience explore the ways individuals can hinder their progress towards goals, distinguishing between simply not taking actions needed to achieve goals and actively creating obstacles that prevent goal attainment. For instance, when someone overcomplicates processes, such as insisting on using a certain tool or system that isn't necessary, they are impeding their progress. The conversation delves into psychological aspects, such as the comfort level with goals, confidence, and fear of the unknown that can cause such self-imposed barriers.
One of the key insights is that acknowledging when you're obstructing your own goals is crucial because it can either lead to completing the intended task or realizing that your goals have changed and need to be re-evaluated. 

Highlights
The concept by introducing the Russian nesting doll analogy, where one creates more and more layers of complexity that impede progress towards a goal. The role of comfort, confidence, and the desire for certainty in the processes that lead to self-sabotage. A hypothetical situation involving office software to illustrate how steadfastness in beliefs can be a form of getting in one's own way. How to identify when you’re getting in your own way by looking at procrastinations, such as outdated items in your inbox, and how this could indicate a problem with your process. The big takeaways: recognizing how you might be hindering your own goals and the necessity of facing uncomfortable truths, whether that means changing goals, relinquishing control, or adjusting your process. Episode Resources
Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones https://graphicmachine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/ 

No, not the fatigue that comes with working on a seemingly unending project. In this episode, we’re talking about the fatigue that your audiences feel when your firm talks about the same one or two projects to the exclusion of others. This can happen because a project has won awards, received press, or is a personal favorite. When a few projects consistently carry all of the marketing weight for the firm, people get tired of seeing them – no matter how great those projects are. Here’s how to keep people engaged without diminishing the firm’s accomplishments.
 
Highlights
       The importance of showcasing all aspects of your firm – not just the completed work         Avoiding the “slideshow from my vacation” problem         How singular project focus can create employee anxiety         The value of thinking like an outsider         Using the coffee shop approach  
Episode Resources
https://graphicmachine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/ 

The word "consistency” can bring to mind drudgery and the removal of any creativity. This thinking, however, will limit your business growth. In this episode we explore why consistency in external communications is so important and what to do when being consistent seems impossible. We also refute the idea that consistency has to mean doing the same exact thing all the time – or more often than you really should be.
 
Highlights:
Being creatively consistent How to remain consistent when you don’t feel like it, are overworked, or dealing with personal issues The importance of having a generous mindset “More consistent” does not mean “more often”   How being consistent is similar to routinely visiting your favorite coffee shop  
Episode Resources
https://graphicmachine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/ 

Building your business is easier if you also build your personal network. Whether you're just starting out in your career or leading a firm, it's vital to make connections with new people. People in your network may end up being a source of new business, but the focus shouldn't be on selling - it should be on meeting people whose work you admire, who you find interesting, or with whom you share interests. Don't look at growing your network like another "must do" on your list. Instead, try to see if for what it is: an opportunity for a positive interaction with another human being.
Highlights
The importance of having an updated LinkedIn profile. Where to find people you'd like to meet. Being approachable, respectful, and oriented towards creating genuine relationships rather than solely focusing on sales and leads. Why it's never as scary or onerous as it seems. What 'open to connect' means on LinkedIn and why it matters. Episode Resources
Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones
https://graphicmachine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/ 

In the latest edition of our “Tech Stack” series, we cover the technical aspects of image assets. Photos and video are arguably the most important assets your firm can have. What needs to be considered to make sure you end up with results that are usable for what you're trying to accomplish? Do you have what you need to effectively communicate about your project? 

Highlights: 

Composition isn’t the only consideration 
Why you need to know how a photo will be used before it’s taken 
The role of the relationship between the photographer and the viewer 
The importance of knowing the current requirements for relevant social media platforms 
Why cropping should only be a last resort 


Episode Resources
Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones
https://graphicmachine.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/ 

Fogarty Finger Co-Founding Principal Chris Fogarty, AIA, RIBA, talks with host Patience Jones about starting his own firm as he looks forward to celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Chris and Patience discuss his career beginnings at SOM, the experience of growing Fogarty Finger by almost double the headcount, and the firm’s new project The Eliza, an innovative mixed-use development that combines affordable housing with a cutting-edge public library.
 
Highlights
How unsuccessfully trying to quit a job led Chris to more opportunities The reasons Chris and his business partner Robert Finger work so well together The role of storytelling in the firm’s work How to measure “success” in an architecture firm The difficulty of simplicity, and how Chris conveys the concept to the design team as well as clients The importance of being able to start over Why self-storage units are a problem for cities, and the larger problematic issues they represent  
Episode Resources
Connect with Brian Jones and Patience Jones
https://graphicmachine.com/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/graphicmachine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/patiencejones/  Connect with Chris Fogarty
https://fogartyfinger.com/people/chris-fogarty https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-fogarty-aia-264b3414/