John Drilling • Designer & Consultant

Director of Product Design @ Precisely | I write about Product Design, Research, Business, & DesignOps | 250+ clients | Built & Sold 2 agencies past 6-figures

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

Make developing yourself the priority.

Skills, beliefs, and character drive the success of any entrepreneurial endeavor.

Invest in yourself first, and your business growth will follow.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

It's easy for leaders to react to constant demands and recurring problems.

But if you spend all your time firefighting, you won't advance long-term goals.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

What are the best things you read, watched or LEARNED this week? Sharing is caring ⚡️⚡️

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

If you need people to root for you to get through hard times, you shouldn’t do it.

Because hard times are guaranteed, support isn’t.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

There’s something crazy that happens when you are more afraid of settling than you are of losing.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

The “Process” should outrank the “Prize.”

When you study great leaders, thinkers, and builders — they are all to the final one obsessed with their work.

Not their money, not their followers… those things follow the work.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

🔥 Struggling to explain what you do in a clear, compelling way?

Our new Atomic Essay reveals a proven formula for creating an irresistible one-liner that sells your business.

Click here to captivate your audience:

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

Don’t sacrifice tomorrows spoils for todays speed.

[John Drilling @johndrilling]

"Average people have been programmed to avoid pain at all costs, which promotes a ‘playing not to lose’ mentality.

Many world-class performers were raised with these same beliefs, yet learned to reprogram themselves somewhere along the way.

Champions learn how to develop empowering beliefs and invest a substantial amount of time solidifying those beliefs, mostly through their own self-talk."

Steve Siebold, 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Quick hack to better design:

Prioritize user feedback

It keeps you aligned with user needs and expectations.

Works every time.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

99% of graphic designers I see don't do this:

- Master product design principles
- Develop a growth mindset
- Practice consistently
- Network with the community

Too much focus on aesthetics.

Not enough emphasis on usability and functionality.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Another great framework for solving design challenges quickly:

- Understand user needs
- Generate creative ideas
- Test & gather feedback
- Iterate & refine

Works every time.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Most design books are a waste of time, but not these! Check out our top 5 picks for insightful and practical design reads:

- The Design of Everyday Things
- Don't Make Me Think
- Sprint
- Creative Confidence
- Designing for Interaction

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Another thing I’ve realized about people who design software well:

They focus on creating solutions that meet user needs, not just aesthetics.

This ensures user-centered design, resulting in effective and intuitive products.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Every unsuccessful designer I know believes perfecting ideas before user testing is key.

Every successful designer knows early prototyping and iteration are essential and uses user feedback to improve.

It's cliché as hell, but the customer truly is always right.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Designers often struggle with 1 of 4 challenges:

- They don't empathize with users
- They don't actively listen to feedback
- They can't maintain curiosity
- They lack adaptability & humility

Master these underrated traits to unlock design thinking success.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Discover 3 design thinking hacks to accelerate your product design process:

- User-centered design
- Rapid prototyping
- Collaboration

Streamline your process and create exceptional products with ease.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Product design isn't about aesthetics, trends, or decoration.

It's about empathy, functionality, accessibility, and iterative improvement.

"Design with the user in mind" is the mantra.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Design thinking isn't about fancy tools, buzzwords, or rigid processes.

It's about empathy, active listening, curiosity, and adaptability.

User-centricity is the mantra.

[John Drilling • Designer & Consultant @drillingcrtv]

Young designers generally struggle with 1 of 4 challenges:

- They overthink their designs
- They disregard user feedback
- They can't prototype early
- They lack flexibility in process

Review these and create a simple plan for each.