PP 017: 11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
Notify the Universe and Show the Work You Want to Get
I can remember way back during the bowl cut and JNCO days as a kid and how lit Friday nights were. I’d lounge on the couch watching TGIF and have a whole frozen pizza to myself.
Ya, those were the good days. It sparked my obsession with pizza because I grew up picky with a small desire to try other foods.
Don’t get me wrong, a frozen pizza is still a delight, but I’ve graduated to delivery and I’m not talking Digiorno.
I’ve been doing little pizza doodles forever yet I never really started sharing them till the past few years. I’m learning to embrace this little quirk of mine because:
it reminds me that I don’t always have to take myself so seriously
it reminds me to have fun and constantly experiment
While the context behind this seems random, I assure you there is a point to this all.
I recently came across this sweet Dominoes Pizza box design. The craft and attention to detail blew my mind. You would’ve thought this $10 Large 3 Topping Take Out only pizza would’ve cost like $40!
It’s crazy the subjective value art can bring to something and I want the opportunity to do this.
Seeing this pizza box inspired me to create this type of subjective value for a brand.
This is where I’m getting to my point.
How would anyone know to hire me for a custom pizza box design if I don’t show this in my artwork?
I’m a huge advocate for showing the work you want to attract and be known for. I put my money where my mouth is and went on Amazon and purchased 50 pizza boxes to get to work (I’d like to thank Terence Tang of Tinlun Studio for the idea).
This episode is me shouting to the universe what kind of work I want to attract. It may not happen immediately, but if I continue to show how much fun I have in creating clever pizza art, I have no doubt over time it will be seen by the right person who will give me that chance.
Who knows, maybe I’ll even get paid in free pizza for life?
Without further ado, here are 11 life lessons learned from loving pizza.
Fair warning, these can get pretty cheesy. Pun intended.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
1. You can’t make everyone happy, you are not pizza
Stop focusing on seeking everyone’s validation. It’s impossible to please everyone and have everyone like your work.
Put out work you’re enthusiastic about and the right people will resonate.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
2. Pizza always has my back
Life is full of highs and lows. During the lows, it’s important that you have people around you who have your back.
Surround yourself with people of high character and who aren’t assholes. It doesn’t have to be pizza.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
3. Don’t step on my pizza
Everything holds something of value to someone. Just because you don’t like it doesn’t mean you can’t accept them and what they like.
And for the love of everything good in life, don’t disrespect someone and step on their pizza.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
4. Slice life
It’s hard to believe that life isn’t all about pizza, but I’m a strong believer in having something you’re passionate and driven about in life.
What purpose are you fulfilling?
Where can you bring value to yours and someone else's life?
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
5. Pizza on my mind all the time
I don’t know about you but when I have a good idea or riding a lot of momentum in life, I have a hard time turning my mind off.
When you have that one thing you can’t stop thinking about, I feel it’s your intuition giving you an internal pull in the direction you’re supposed to go.
Trust your gut, even if you ate too much pizza.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
6. I will draw for pizza
I desperately want you to understand that it’s possible to generate an income doing what you enjoy the most.
For me, this is drawing and I never in a million years would’ve thought it was possible to make a living off it.
It’s possible and you are capable and I’m determined to show you.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
7. Little slice of heaven
Plain and simple—enjoy the little things in life.
Whether you found a dollar bill on the ground or have a delightful frozen Jacks pizza all to yourself—showing gratitude for the little things in life makes life a lot more enjoyable.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
8. Pizza is life
Life is all about you, yet it’s not all about you.
First off, I believe you can only help others if you take care of yourself first.
Secondly, I believe we exist to serve others and make a difference.
Cultivate your talents and put them towards a significant need in the world. The more 'good' you do for others the more 'good' comes to you.
It’s called Karma.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
9. Pizza lovers unite
After experiencing being in the middle of a flood back in September, I was blown away to see how the community rallied and bonded together.
We weren’t born to build barriers and divide due to religion, political views or race. Underlying all of that crap is timeless principles and the ability to love one another.
We are all team human in the end.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
10. You wanna pizza me?
I grew up biting my tongue when I felt I had something important to speak out about. It spawned from my desire to please everyone and to avoid confrontation.
The person I am striving to become realizes at times you have to speak out and fight for what you believe in—no matter if it creates uncomfortable situations.
At least at the end of the day, you can sleep knowing that you spoke what was on your mind.
11 Life Lessons Learned From Loving Pizza
11. I hate when people steal my pizza
I’ve stolen things in the past and I feel like a dick for doing it.
I’ve lost respect for myself even if it was over petty things like taking someone else’s Bud Light out of their cooler during a tailgate party.
These things still haunt me and I’ve spent years trying to redeem myself for it.
Everything in life must be earned and it’s a crude act taking something that isn’t yours that you didn’t invest precious time in your life to deserve.
Show the Work You Want to Get
What is it that you urge to do but think it’s impossible?
If you’re a skater and want to make art for a big time skating brand, you should be blowing up your social feed with amazing skate deck art and tagging / using every hashtag with every brand.
The universe can’t deliver you the job of your dreams if you’re not actively showing it that you’re wanting it.
Your dream isn’t going to be delivered to your front door like a hot, piping pizza. You have to put in the work and show the work you want to get.
Who knows what will come out of this episode or all these pizza drawings? At least I’m being intentional and having a blast doing something I love and that I feel I’m good at.
Showing the work you want combined with the following 11 life lessons is sure to get you to a point where you will be fulfilled by doing great work for great people…….and filled with a full stomach.
It will never happen by wishing and not doing.
Key Takeaways
Art can bring massive amounts of subjective value to something
Show the kind of work you want to get and attract.
Be enthusiastic about the work you’re putting out.
Let the universe know that this is the type of work you’re wanting back in return.
No one is going to know you are passionate about doing this type of work if you don’t let it be known.
Cultivate your talents and put them towards a significant need in the world. The more 'good' you do for others the more 'good' comes to you.
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CREDITS
Music - Blookah
Executive Assistant - Paige Garland
Photo & Video Specialist - Colton Bachar
Social Media Coordinator - Hannah Schick
Animation Specialist - Greg D'Amico