At the calendar turn from 2020 to 2021, we spoke with Jonathan Gicewicz (GICE) of JEG DESIGN INC about what to expect in the coming year.
“Well, it’s my 20th Anniversary, so probably a lot.” — GICE
But the lessons learned sometimes, even during your company’s platinum anniversary, may be to do things, unlike the ways that got you there. With 2020 being unlike any year before, where companies thrived or died — 2021 was a year that Gice would never forget.
In this blog, we’ll share the lessons GICE gleaned during the past year:
- Work/Life Balance
- Stay Current
- And Kill Them With Kindness
Additionally, at the end, we’ll explain how JEG DESIGN INC will pull back the curtain even further by — well, let’s get through the rest of the blog first.
And speaking of first, the first lesson, take a step back.
First Lesson Learned – Work/Life Balance
Many, if not all of us, try to manifest some semblance of work/life balance. Typically, and most obviously, we achieved that by separating our home from wherever we conducted our business. Unfortunately, though, during a time where quarantining wasn’t just advised, it was mandated — the majority of us were finding it quite challenging to sustain that divide between our home life and our work-life.
While having a separation between work and life has been something Gice has always had to contend with — JEG DESIGN INC operates out of his home — this year made it near impossible. So what did he do?
“ I learned to take a step back and maintain balance in my life. Understanding that the work will always be here, and I don’t need to work a such a high speed. I’m already faster than most that do this type of work.” — GICE
The most burdensome expectations a successful business owner has are commonly their expectations for themselves. And while yes, that attitude is what isolates them from those who fail to run a profitable company. It’s this type of attitude that will burn someone out faster than what Bruce Wayne must feel dealing with all the troubles of Gotham (Horrible example, and I’ll be surprised if this line makes it through the first round of edits).
But the line that needs to stick out to you if any of what GICE just said does stick out – “…the work will always be here….”
It ain’t going anywhere, but this time you have on this Earth will. Take time for yourself, take time with your friends, your family, with the Roy family — whatever it is. Just take the time. You can always get more work. But you can’t ever get more time.
Second Lesson Learned – Stay Current
Many people, yours truly included, have learned quite a bit about the world of cryptocurrency. For example, don’t go all-in on one kind of coin because you love dogs.
Meanwhile, people like Jon Gicewicz determined they must constantly be evolving. This isn’t a novel perspective for Gice. He’s actually had it since he started JEG DESIGN INC two decades ago. Meaning, Gice graduated from the now-closed Green Mountain College with a Fine Arts & Graphic Design degree. While you can and will see much of his work today featured by prominent businesses – it was his decision to focus on Web Design & Development that ultimately created JEG DESIGN INC’s successful future.
He saw what was currently happening, and more so, he saw what was inevitably coming. And by educating himself regularly on what is going on with the world of blockchain — GICE has created his own NFT Collection, GRYLD CHEEZ. And he’s nowhere close to being finished.
Third Lesson Learned – Kill Them With Kindness
Smiling when you don’t want to is difficult — doing it while a person behaves like a jackass is another type of animal. But to do it, and to do it well, is an art form all in its self. And for an artist like Jon Gicewicz, it’s one he’s been forced to master.
“This year taught me to be courteous and professional towards other businesses, even though they may not behave that way towards JEG DESIGN INC.” – GICE
Whether you’re a religious person and were taught to turn the other cheek, or whether you possess the calmness of a Hindu cow – do not burn bridges. You may need to cross them one day.
GICE gets that, and it’s something he’ll have to work on consistently. And frankly, it’s one we all must work on. Remember, if you can stand there face to face with the meanest clients, contractors, or employers — then you are equipped to address any situation that comes your way.
Just don’t let them crap on you. Never lose your self-respect and dignity.
Conclusion
In 2020, many companies had their best year ever. And many went out of business. We’re taught to look at our history, learn from it, and use those lessons to shape our future.
We’re also taught to take a look at those who are successful at doing what we want to do and use them as a case study for what we’re looking to do in our own adventures.
Well, today, we hope you saw how a thriving design company like JEG DESIGN INC and its owner Jon Gicewicz handled the chaos this past year and grew from it. Because like a Wiseman once said –
The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!”
Sylvester Stallone, Rocky Balboa
And if you survived 2021, you are a winner in our book.
Oh, and earlier, we mentioned case studies — in 2022, we will be showing specific clients, the client’s situation, the tasks they assigned JEG DESIGN INC, the approach JEG DESIGN INC took, and the results. We think this will not only be insightful, but it may also be a little entertaining.
Until then, from all of us at JEG DESIGN INC – we wish you and yours the happiest holiday season ever!
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Written by Keith Hannigan. Keith is the co-owner and Chief Writer at SBI Content Creation LLC. SBI Content Creation is a content writing company just outside of Atlanta, Georgia.