```cv
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```

Dreams are a big part of who we are. They inspire us to be better and to do more. But sometimes, our dreams can seem out of reach. That's because we all have dream killers. These people, places, and things stand in the way of achieving our goals. Dream killers come in many forms. They might be toxic friends or family members who bring us down. Or they might be external forces, like financial difficulties or a global pandemic. Whatever their form, dream killers can make it difficult to achieve our dreams. But we can't let them win. We have to keep fighting for what we want. Because only then can we hope to achieve our dreams.‍

## **So where do we start? ‍**

### **The naysayers**

You know who they are. The people who always tell you that you can't do something. They'll say it's impossible or that you're not good enough. But don't listen to them! The only person whose opinion counts is your own. So tune out the negativity and follow your heart. These naysayers may mean well, but they ultimately keep you from achieving your dreams. Don't let them stop you from chasing after what you want in life. Instead, use their criticism as motivation to prove them wrong. So head out there and offer the world what you're made of! You'll be surprised at what you can accomplish when you set your mentality.

### **Your comfort zone**

It's easy to get comfortable with things and never try to reach for something more. But if you want to achieve your dreams, you must be ready to step outside of your comfort place and take some risks. Put yourself out there and see what happens! You might be surprised at what you're capable of. When you push yourself to try new things, you'll learn more about who you are and what you want in life. And who knows? You might just end up liking something that you never thought you would. So go ahead and take a chance! What do you have to lose?

### **Fear of failure**

We all know the phrase, "If at first you don't succeed, try again and again." And it's true! Failure is a part of the game, and it's how we learn and grow. So don't let fear of failing to keep you from chasing your dreams. Embrace the possibility of failure and know that it's not the end of the world if things don't go according to plan. Sure, it might be discouraging if you don't get the job you wanted or you don't ace that test, but that doesn't mean you should give up. Take some time to learn from your mistakes and calculate what you could do differently next time. Then dust yourself off and maintain moving forward. Remember, every failure brings you one step closer to success. So don't be afraid to fail – it's part of the journey!

### **Lack of resources**

It's easy to get discouraged when you feel like you're against a brick wall. But remember that there are always ways to get around obstacles, no matter how daunting they may seem. If you don't have the right connections, reach out to others who might be able to help you. Be resourceful and creative, and you'll find a way to make it happen. You may not have enough money to achieve your dreams, but there are always ways to raise funds. Again, be resourceful and creative, and you'll find a way to make it happen. So don't give up on your dreams just because you hit a few bumps in the road. With perseverance and a positive attitude, anything is possible.

> *Nothing is unimaginable if you set your mind to it!*

**\
Negative self-talk**

One of the biggest dream killers is negative self-talk. This is when we talk ourselves out of things by saying things like, "I'm not good enough" or "I'll never be able to do that." But we have to stop doing this! If we want to achieve our dreams, we must believe in ourselves. So start giving yourself some positive affirmations and thinking that anything is possible! Yes, it might sound cheesy, but trust me, it works. When you have negative thoughts about yourself, stop and replace them with something positive. For example, instead of thinking, "I'm not good enough," try thinking, "I'm getting better every day, and I can accomplish anything I set my sanity to." It might seem like a minor change, but it can make a big difference in how you see yourself and what you're able to achieve. So remember: dream big and believe in yourself! Anything is possible!

## **Last words**

Dream killers come in all forms and sizes, but they all share one thing: they try to stop us from reaching our dreams and full potential. But the good news is, those dream killers can be defeated! We can overcome them and achieve our goals by recognizing them for what they are and taking action! So don't let anything or anyone stop you from chasing your dreams—go out there and get them!

The five biggest dream killers

```cv
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```

A design narrative is a story you want your product or service to tell. It's the "why" behind your design. A good design narrative will guide your entire design process and help you make decisions about everything from the overall look and feel to the minor details.

A strong design narrative can help keep users engaged and focused on achieving their goals. Design narratives can be helpful for all kinds of products and services. Still, they're essential for complex products requiring users to complete multiple tasks or navigate different screens.

Design narratives can take many forms, but they all share one common goal: \
to help users understand your product or service and how it can help them.

## **What are the different types of design narratives?**

There are three main types of design narratives: origin stories, user stories, and brand stories. Below I will present them briefly and recall relevant examples of their use.

### **Origin Stories**

An origin story explains where your product or service comes from—its "origin," if you will. Origin stories usually start with a problem that needs to be solved or an opportunity that needs to be seized. They typically include a personal connection or motivation for why you're passionate about solving this problem. For example, Apple's origin story begins with Steve Jobs seeing a computer for the first time and realizing that he wanted to make them smaller and more accessible for everyone. Then there are several reasons you should think of your origin story as a story in progress.‍

### **Here are three great reasons to consider writing your own origin story.**

Origin stories are the things that compel you to improve. It gives you a starting point that can't be found elsewhere.‍

You should create a clear roadmap for how you envision the future of your business and the journey you'll take to get there. A roadmap can only exist if you share it, so creating and sharing one will keep your vision top-of-mind.

You'll have a clear vision of the audience you want to reach and the difference your company will make. People connect with stories and often associate your idea with your company. You're just another company if you still need to get your narration.

So how do you make your story a part of your future?**‍**

### **1. Capture your internal dialogue**‍

The first step is to capture all the internal dialogue you have about what it will take to make the change you want to see. Use your words and the word "should" to create a narrative describing your company's past, present, and future.**‍**

### **2. Write it down**‍

Write it all down. That will help you clarify your direction and learn to identify the things you can and can't control. You'll also notice that the outcome you're writing about isn't just one thing; it's a series of smaller steps that lead up to your goal.

You can capture this internal dialogue in writing or list all your conversations. You'll probably have many of these conversations—most of them are as if you're looking in a mirror.**‍**

### **3. Work backward**‍

Write down the problem you want to solve and the people or stakeholders you need to address. Then identify those people, projects, and other constraints that get in the way of your goal. Ask yourself, "Why is the solution so important?"

You're halfway to your goal.

So now you have the vision of where you want to go.

When you know the problem you're trying to solve and who you're trying to address it for, it becomes clear that the problem still needs to be solved. Rather than asking yourself why you can't change your current situation, you need to ask yourself, "Why do I need to change?"

That can helps you focus and prioritize your thoughts and actions. Think of it this way: Instead of avoiding the situation you're in, think about it as an opportunity to learn something.

Next, work backward to determine the steps that will get you there. Be as specific as possible about what you need to accomplish, who needs to be involved, and how you will achieve it.

## **User Stories**

User stories are all about your users—hence the name. User stories focus on how your product or service can help solve a problem or meet your users' needs. You must consider your target users and their specific needs when writing user stories. For example, Facebook's user story is "Stay connected with friends and family." This simple user story has been incredibly effective in helping Facebook grow into the largest social media platform in the world.

Create one, no more than two, user stories that address one specific need of your target audience. Make sure to note who the user is—your users—and what conditions are being addressed.

User stories allow you to illustrate the problem and what benefits users will experience once your solution has been introduced.

Finally, user stories are easily adaptable to change. They're your road map to achieving your goal. User stories are built to be reviewed and updated with all future development.

### **Don't Make User Stories Too Long**

A user story should be brief yet expressive. Keep a high information level so it's easy to comprehend and understand. In the example below, we can figure out how the user can think and act in a particular situation.

### **Key Elements**

User stories are designed to describe how your product will solve a problem or meet a need. These fundamental elements will keep users engaged and therefore help keep them engaged with your product.

### **Need:**

When users go to a specific location, they want to find what they're looking for. To this end, it's essential to include clear, realistic, and relevant details that assure users they are in the right place.

When users go to a specific location, they want to find what they're looking for. To this end, it's essential to include clear, realistic, and relevant details that assure users they are in the right place.

### **Reason:**

When a user tries to get in touch with someone or request action, they want to know why it's taking so long. Knowing the cause is annoying and frustrating for users.

### **Action:**

When a user can complete a task, they want to understand how and why it happened, along with their next steps. When a user tries to get in touch with someone or request some action, they want to know why it's taking so long. Knowing the reason is annoying and frustrating for users. Keeping them informed of your progress keeps them engaged and more likely to adopt your solution.

When a user can complete a task, they want to know how and why it happened, along with their next steps. Keeping them informed of your progress keeps them engaged and more likely to adopt your solution.

### **Result:**

Users want to know the outcome of whatever is taking them away from their daily routine. They will likely lose interest and abandon the task if they don't see immediate and apparent results.\
\
User stories are a great way to gather the information you need to complete a project and see how it will impact users' lives. As you use them, you'll be able to gauge better whether your user story is clear, descriptive, and interesting enough to keep users engaged.

## **Brand Stories**

Brand stories communicate the values that guide your company or product. These values might include things like innovation, customer-centricity, sustainability, etc.

Tesla's brand story is centered around its mission to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy through electric vehicles. Brand stories are usually told through marketing campaigns or other public-facing efforts like website copy, PR materials, etc. But they can also be internal-facing, like company culture videos or employee onboarding materials.

### **Brand Story In Practice**

Think about how the many different parts of a brand story fit together. At one end of the spectrum, you have a straightforward, stripped-down, or simple storyline. At the other end, you have an all-encompassing story with tons of complexities that must be unpacked for the average person. Mix and match these different elements, and your brand story will be more engaging to your customers.

That can be very different from traditional branding because when you want to tell a customer the full story of your company, you might have to take your time to get there, and there might be obstacles along the way. That's why it's more important than ever that you identify the main brand pillars of your company and build the brand story around them.

Start small, step by step, and execute your brand story. Then, get the team involved in choosing the right element and voice for your brand and everything else that goes into building a narrative.

### **Putting Together the Brand Story for Your Company**

Once you've identified your brand pillars, you can take the next step and look at the research you did in the beginning stages. Do you know what it means to be sustainable or purpose-driven? And do you even have a brand story for that?

To figure this out, try to map out your brand story. What do you want your customer experience to be like? What will be your brand voice? How do you want to talk about your products and services?

Once this mapping process is in place, you can write your story. Do this periodically throughout the development of your company. That will be much more effective than tracking it in advance because you'll be more focused on getting your story done when making decisions and thinking about how to tell that story in the first place.

It would be best if you solidified your story early because the launch of your product or service is when the bulk of your efforts will be focused on developing your brand. If you want your company to succeed, you need to spend the time to do this work now. If you want your company to succeed, you need to spend the time to do this work now, which is especially important when you're choosing a name and logo as you want it to represent your brand.

### **Mix and Match**

There are a few ways to create a company brand story that emphasizes your values, including using branded collateral to illustrate how you operate in line with your core values and how your product or service meets those values. For example, start a blog about your company culture or employee experiences to get employees to share their stories about what it's like to work at your company. Also, consider what kind of blogs, content, and social media content your company creates that goes beyond your company's core mission and purpose. Then, use these content pieces as part of your company brand story. Put these pieces together and highlight your company culture and values with a branded visual.

Using your narrative strategy to communicate your core values first is essential. Brand storytelling is an emotional appeal. Building a brand story starts with communicating values to customers, clients, employees, and investors. Once you have demonstrated a grand narrative, you can create marketing materials that share that story more artfully.

It would be best if you also thought about what brands you would like to emulate. You may have read about Nike, Google, or Apple, but if you want to be one of the best companies in the world, you need to give yourself enough time to create a brand story that embodies your unique identity.

## **Final words**

Regardless of the type of design narrative you choose, remember that its purpose is to help users understand your product or service and how it can help them. A strong design narrative will make your product more engaging and easier to use—ultimately leading to happier customers (and better business results!).

So choose your design narrative wisely, and make sure it's one that you can stick to throughout the life of your product.

The power of a good design narrative

```cv
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```

You may want to play it safe when trying to come up with new product ideas or features. After all, with a real deadline approaching, you want to save time on something that will work.

The problem is, playing it safe can often lead to unimaginative ideas. And while those may be fine in a pinch, they will not help you stand out from the competition in the long run.

Instead, you need to learn to embrace your inner weirdo.\
What do we mean by that?

Simply put, being weird means thinking outside the box. It means looking at things from a different perspective and being willing to experiment with new ideas, even if they seem a little crazy at first.

Now, you should refrain from pitching your team wacky product names or trying to force them to use your new idea for the company Christmas party. But you can start thinking about ways to be more creative in your approach to work.

## **Here are a few guidelines to get you started:**

### **Get off the trail**

Trying something new can help you see things differently and think outside the box. When you're stuck in a rut, it's easy to have tunnel vision and see things only one way, but by trying something new, you can open yourself up to new possibilities and ways of thinking.

Sometimes even the little matters could make a difference. It's vital to be self-directed and proportion your creativity and passion, however be aware of the matters that make you experience open-minded and mentally energized. Even if you are simply sharing a brief tale approximately an enjoy or commenting on a piece of writing you are reading, those little matters let you step lower back and notice matters from a brand new perspective.

Start by expressing your thoughts, interests, and values, share ideas and experiences, and discuss your frustrations and how something could be improved. Whatever you do, stay positive and share how you can make things better Remember that you have a different point of view and that perspective will bring out the best in everyone

### ‍**Define your own "why"**

Finally, knowing why you are doing something is very important. It can be easy to get hooked daily, but it's even more important to think through and figure out what you're looking for. Keep your goals and motivations in mind, ask yourself why you want to do what you do, and move on.

### **Take a risks**

Taking risks is an essential part of creativity. After all, how can you come up with something new if you're not willing to take some risks? Trying the weirdest thing first can help you learn to take risks and see failure as an opportunity for growth rather than something to be avoided at all costs.

Design is another central innovation area that could easily be seen as taking risks. You'll be better off if you're willing to take risks. You can encourage your team to write about your idea in one or two paragraphs in plain language. Is there anything evil that you can agree to abide by, such as writing a paragraph about a design without any last details or outlining your ideas in a section before you try them out, or venturing to redesign a business blog into a full blog? different structure? The goal is to take risks to design better. Design is not wasting time trying to design something perfect but trying to improve it.

Success comes from a combination of taking risks and learning from failure. By trying the weirdest thing first, you can learn to take risks and see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow.

### **Push boundaries**

Pushing boundaries is what allows us to grow as designers When we're comfortable, it's easy to stay in our comfort zone and never really challenge ourselves But by trying something new, we can learn to push our limits and expand our skills. To do this, you need to experiment with design solutions and situations that we may encounter. It gives us the opportunity to test out new ideas that we might  not have found the time to  or that we need more confidence to implement. This often takes longer than you would like and can be uncomfortable at first.

However, as you learn more about design and become more comfortable with it, you will find that designing more complex scenarios opens up new opportunities for engineering and design skills.

### **Spark creativity**

We often find ourselves more creatively inspired when doing something different. When everything is familiar, it's easy for our brains to go through the motions without really engaging or sparking any creativity. But when we try something new, it jolts our brains into action and helps us see things in a new light.

So go for something different and find an experience that lights up your creativity. Find something that allows you to keep the flame burning and keep the designed burning. Keep the design alive.

## **Final words**

Next time you feel stuck, be bold, think outside the box, and try something weird. It might be the best way to break out of your creative rut and develop something truly inventive. By stepping outside your comfort zone, you can open yourself up to new possibilities and ways of thinking to help spark creativity and bring fresh ideas to life. And even if it doesn't work out in the end, you'll still have learned something valuable from experience.\
\
What matters most is that you keep trying new things and expanding your skill set. Be willing to take risks, and don't be afraid to fail. And most importantly, remember to have fun with it. The more fun you have, the more likely you will come up with something genuinely innovative.

Don't be afraid to be weird

```cv
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```

*\
Monotasking is the ability to focus on a single task or activity.*

Multitasking has become the norm in many workplaces. We are encouraged to juggle multiple tasks at once in the name of efficiency. However, recent studies have shown that multitasking can lead to reduced productivity and increased stress levels [(1)](https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003). If you struggle to finish your work, it might be time to focus on monotasking instead. This can help to improve productivity and reduce stress levels. Studies have also shown that monotasking can lead to increased creativity and innovation.

## **The dangers of multitasking**

Multitasking can be a natural productivity killer. In fact, studies have shown that it can reduce productivity by up to 40% [(2)](https://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/multitask) This is because when you are trying to multitask, your brain has to alternate between tasks, which takes time and energy. So if you want to be more productive, focus on one thing at a time; you'll get the job done faster and with fewer errors.

Multitasking may be pretty dangerous to folks who generally tend to fear a lot. Multitasking also can take a toll in your intellectual health, main to emotions of hysteria and stress. When you are continuously seeking to juggle more than one tasks, it is able to be clean to experience crushed and prefer you are now no longer conducting anything [(3)](https://www.zongaroo.com/how-to-increase-concentration/). This can cause elevated ranges of hysteria and stress, which can be unfavourable on your intellectual health. If you conflict with multitasking, taking a step returned and specializing in one venture at a time is essential. This will assist you live greater centered and effective and save you you from feeling crushed through all you need to do.

### **How can monotasking hold the mind healthy**

You should provide your complete interest whilst you are running on a challenge. However, whilst seeking to do or extra matters at once, your mind can not recognition on they all equally. This is due to the fact the elements of your mind used for every challenge are not getting the equal quantity of stimulation. When you monotask, though, you are capable of provide every challenge its very own centered interest. This manner that the elements of your mind used for one task are probably to be extra powerful than in case you had been seeking to do  or extra duties simultaneously.

Regarding productivity, monotasking is often seen as the best way to get things done. And recent research suggests that not only is monotasking more effective than multitasking, and it may also be better for your brain health. One study found that people who regularly practice monotasking have thicker cortexes in regions of the brain associated with attention and control [(4)](https://www.tenpercent.com/meditationweeklyblog/training-yourself-to-monotask). This suggests that monotasking can help improve attention span and cognitive control.‍

*\
Another study found that people who frequently multitask tend to have less gray matter in the anterior cingulate cortex. [(5)](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106698)*

‍Brain regions are essential for regulating emotions and controlling impulses. This finding suggests that multitasking can lead to poorer emotional regulation. So if you want to keep your brain healthy and productive, stick to monotasking!

## **Closing points**

Monotasking is beneficial for both the brain and productivity levels. By monotasking, you can focus on one thing at a time, which helps you learn better and retain information more effectively. You are also less likely to make mistakes since you are not trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. Multitasking can lead to information overload, decreased productivity, and health problems.

Multitasking can be difficult because it requires us to switch between different tasks rapidly. When doing this, we often find that our brains cannot quickly process all the new information. Leading to cognitive fatigue or even problems with our work performance. By monotasking, we can take things one step at a time and avoid any of these issues.

Monotasking is essential because it allows us to focus on a single task without distractions from outside sources. This allows us greater control over our environment and the ability to complete tasks successfully.

Finally, by monotasking, we are also reducing stress levels in our lives since multitaskers tend to have higher cortisol levels in their bloodstream than those who primarily focus on one task at a time. Reduced stress level leads to improved mental health and general well-being!

So if you want your brain healthy and your productivity levels up – try incorporating some monotasking into your day-to-day routine!\
\
\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\
\
1\. Kendra Cherry, “How Multitasking Affects Productivity and Brain Health”, verywellmind (blog), July 30, 2021, [Link](https://www.verywellmind.com/multitasking-2795003)

2\. D. Smith, “Multitasking undermines our efficiency, study suggests”, Monitor of Psychology, October 2001, [Link](https://www.apa.org/monitor/oct01/multitask)

3\. Nisha Khanna, “How to Increase Concentration”, *Zongaroo* (blog), October 10, 2022, [Link](https://www.zongaroo.com/how-to-increase-concentration)

4\. Nico Hase, “Training Yourself To Monotask”, *Ten Precent Happier* (blog), September 10, 2019, [Link](https://www.tenpercent.com/meditationweeklyblog/training-yourself-to-monotask)

5\. Kep Kee Loh, Ryota Kanai, “Higher Media Multi-Tasking Activity Is Associated with Smaller Gray-Matter Density in the Anterior Cingulate Cortex, plos.org, September 24, 2014, [Link](https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0106698)

The surprising benefits of monotasking

Product Designer

What does a Product Designer do?

How to use a side project to improve your skills?

Dreams are a big part of who we are. They inspire us to be better and to do more. But sometimes, our dreams can seem out of reach. That's because we all have dream killers.

How to find design inspiration in everyday life?

A design narrative is a story you want your product or service to tell. It's the "why" behind your design.

The line between Craft and Art

You may want to play it safe when trying to come up with new product ideas or features. After all, with a real deadline approaching, you want to save time on something that will work.

How to apply mindfulness to your work and process?

What did I learn from doing 100+ UI screens?

Monotasking is the ability to focus on a single task or activity.

Figma and Webflow - perfect match

How to find the proper framework for you?

AskYoyo is a guest experience app that makes it easy for hotels to tailor your stay according to your preferences and needs.

Askyoyo

New dating app that pairs people based on personality type and psychological match.

Blind Cupid

Buzzer app allows users to create a high-quality video that goes viral, gets them recognized, and competes in challenging leaderboard.

Buzzer

Pludo is an app that allows users to engage with experts and influencers by sending them questions or requests for advice.

Pludo

This subpage is dedicated to my latest work, experiments, and visual development.

100 UI Library

Little gratitude. Every day wisdom. Simply reload the page, read, copy, note or meditate.

lil gratitude

Trained and fine-tuned AI model, resulting in approximately 500+ diverse portraits of people from around the world.

Jan Janeczek

Projects

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Contact