Things Tim Gunn Taught Me
Okay, when I had just graduated from college and was job searching, I watched all of the seasons of Project Runway I could get my hands on. At the time, it was something mindless but creative and with compelling characters that I could get behind. Almost two years later, lessons that Tim Gunn taught me are still popping up around me & I thought I would share them with you:
His catch-phrase, “Make it work”, though repeated a number of times and almost became a joke on the show, holds true. Curveballs get thrown your way all day long & I’ve recognized the need to take a breath, say make it work, and literally make it work with what you have in front of you. Even if it looks like a mess or something went drastically wrong, you are still living, have that deadline and need to keep moving forward.
Simplify! Most contestants on the show get booted because they over-design their garments. Though while you probably aren’t designing clothes, simplifying your work really packs a punch getting to the core of what you’ve set out to do. (And maybe one day, you too will win a reality show.)
Tim would always be the first to embrace the voted off contestant. It reminded me to treat others like people - we have hearts with feelings and those are valid. A small encouragement like that can change someone’s perspective.
He was the contestants’ mentor so reach out to others and work together - find a good mentor, an outside voice that can speak into your life. They will provide encouragement, inspiration and someone to speak truth into your life.
If you’re tired of hearing what I learned, here’s what Tim learned during his time on the show.