Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far, Stefan Sagmeister

If you arent familiar with Stefan Sagmeister's book, "Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far" you should be. I came across it a little while ago and now coming across his website I feel that it is time for a post. His website promotes the book and also the idea of the book.

The idea for this site originally came out of my own list in my diary, under the very same title: Things I have learned in my life so far. Astonishingly, I have only learned twenty or so things so far. Over the last five years I did manage to publish these maxims all over the world, in spaces normally occupied by advertisements and promotions: as billboards, projections, light-boxes, magazine spreads, annual report covers, fashion brochures, and, recently, as giant inflatable monkeys.

So here I extend this same question to you:

What have you learned in your life so far? What is it that you are fairly sure about? What is it that you believe in by now?

Please do write it down beautifully. Design it digitally, photograph it, draw it, scan it and upload it. Use any media that works for you, paint, sculpture, film….

If you don’t work on the computer, write your sentiment on a postcard and send it to us at:

Sagmeister Inc.

222 West 14th Street

New York, NY 10011

We’ll upload it for you.

many warm greetings from lovely 14th Street,

Stefan Sagmeister

Here are two videos posted by Sagmeister illustrating two of the things he has learned in his life.

(both also included in the book)

"Over Time I Get Used To Everything And Start Taking It For Granted"

"Being Not Truthful Works Against Me"

List of what Sagmeister has learned and included in his book:

Complaining is silly. Either act or Forget

Thinking life will be better in the future is stupid. I have to live now.

Being not truthful works against me.

Organizing a charity group is surprisingly easy.

Everything I do always comes back to me.

Drugs feel great in the beginning and become a drag later on.

Over time I get used to everything and start taking it for granted.

Money does not make me happy.

Traveling alone is helpful for a new perspective on life.

Assuming is stifling.

Keeping a diary supports personal development.

Trying to look good limits my life.

Worrying solves nothing.

Material luxuries are best enjoyed in small doses.

Having guts always works out for me.

These images are two submissions to the website answering the question "What you have learned in your life?"

"Live Curious"

Jason Bishop

"The End Is Sometimes A Beginning"

YaiJung Chang