Stuff I think I know.

It looks like I'll be lecturing at Parsons this spring semester about professional practices. I've always enjoyed teaching on the college level. It gets you out of the studio. You learn how to focus your thoughts and not ramble like the aunt you dread visiting every holiday. Fewer things are as rewarding as seeing the light go in a student's head because you've found a way to connect. At the American Illustration party last week, I had the chance to meet a couple of students who asked about my course.

I told them they were going to learn stuff they don't know. This is what I do know if you don't want your dreams to DIE:

1) Don't worry what others are doing. Creatives are competitive, but if you constantly compare yourself to others, you will go insane. Live in your own little artist bubble and try to do something better than you've done before. You will be surprised how fast you grow.

2) This is a contradiction, but compare yourself to others. You want to make sure you are not getting left in the dust. Some of my best growth has come from going to openings and CRAPPING IN MY PANTS because the art was so good.

3) I know there are divas, but less than 1 percent can pull off the diva act. Unfortunately, most artists think they ARE the 1 percent. Just to play it safe, don't be a dick until you are sure. I remember an art director choosing illustrators for a project. She passed over one illustrator who was crazy good because he was a pain in the ass. My dickish ways decreased dramatically after seeing this.

4) Learn to say yes.

5) Learn to say no.

6) Learn to say "I don't know" if you don't know.

7) Say you can do it even if you can't. Learn how to do it on the fly and do it well. The amount of confidence you will get if you can pull it off is HUGE. It will serve you well for the rest of your career.

8) Don't act desperate. Clients like to work with winners. Clients are not Oprah. They are not trying to save anybody.

9) It's okay to make mistakes. Just don't make the same mistake twice. This is also a quote from "Breaking Bad". What a great show. Don't miss it.

10) Persistence is more important than talent. I know many talented people who couldn't cut it because they gave up too easily. If you are talented and persistent, you are going to be a badass.

Even if you're a badass, don't act like a diva.

A bigger badass is just around the corner.