Sometimes it Takes Motivation Every Morning

Sometimes it happens to me.......again…and .....again

I just lay there. Still. Eyes closed. Mind racing, but body stagnant. The battle had begun…

Should I wake up and work out/send emails/write a new article/do anything mildly productive, or should I surrender to just one more hour of restless sleep.

On most days, this wouldn’t be a battle. I am better than that.

But even the mightiest success chasers need new sources of motivation every once in a while.

You see, most of us are indeed crazed to succeed, and rarely need any external pushes to get ahead. We are intrinsically motivated beasts 99.99% of the time, but one day (or week, or month…don’t judge) there will come a time where you everything will seem gloom, the important goals you’ve set for yourself become less noticeable than an extra 15 minutes of quasi-sleep, and the rollercoaster hits its lowest valleys.

WHY?!? Because you CAN create the life you want, but only if you work your rear end off to create it.

WHY?!? Because you INSPIRE others through your work, words, and actions, so it’s your responsibility to be a good role model for those who look up to you.

WHY?!? Because certain jobs, people, and friends passed you over, and it’s on you to PROVE THEM WRONG.

WHY?!? Because your family, friends, and supporters WANT TO SEE YOU SUCCEED.

WHY?!? Because you are a LEADER, and because people DEPEND on you.

However, all that being said, I know some days are harder than others, and because there have been days (weeks, months…) that I’ve had this same problem, I want to give you some ways to get motivation EVERY morning.

Make it a habit, just like brushing your teeth and tying your shoelaces, to seek sources of motivation every single morning. Watch an inspirational Youtube video, listen to you favorite, potentially-Rocky-inspired song, or get a group of friends together for a daily, 5 minute “pep” conference call.

Meditate and think of all the things in life you are grateful for. Give yourself a start on a miracle morning.

Prepare my friends for a new beginning and news start in 2015.

Wishing you all much greater success this year than the last.

D. Eugene Thompson, AIAHR

Ionic DeZign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

My Secret Formula?

Sometimes the most difficult part of anything we ever do is starting. Honestly I'd rather just sit my butt right here and not do anything......but that would get boring really quick. Although I may hate the idea of beginning something (regardless of whether I've done it once, a few times, a gazzillion times or never at all) I always feel some much better once I've completed that task. It just takes me getting started.

I try to motivate myself....pump myself up......yes, like Hans and whatever that other guy's name is. It is important to be encouraged and it isn't always practical to have someone else there to tell you. Take steps to become self sufficient in your own motivation. Write it down, put it on your calendar, send yourself a message.....whatever helps just do it!

 

So this morning I needed to go for a 10 mile run to get geared up for the marathon in a few weeks. (truthfully I needed to run more but haven't been up to running in the cold) So I needed to run 10 miles, felt like running only 5......started to make excuses while I'm running that I would do more later.....you know that aint gonna happen. So I ended up doing a Forest Gump and ran a half marathon distance (13 miles) before work......felt great!

 

Just do it my friends.....you will be self motivated!

 

D. Eugene Thompson

www.ionicdezigns.com

Ionic DeZign Studios

Merry Christmas To All

The holiday season is a time for games.......so IONIC made its own game to play. Have a fantastic time with your family and friends. Don't forget to tell them how much you love them.

Do you RUN your company?

http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237426

Interesting article regarding running marathons. Not sure I can truly qualify for this but maybe it helps.

Eugene Thompson

www.ionicdezigns.com

"Where art and architecture come together."

Coastal Grill Grand Re-Opening

Excited about being invited to the grand opening of the newly renovated Coastal Grill on Great Neck Rd. In Virginia Beach. Great time, great fun, great food. You need to visit! This was a renovation/conversion of the old Cape Henry Hardware Store metal building. What a transformation! More pictures to come later.

www.ionicdezigns.com

Ionic DeZign Studios

IONIC looking for production staff

Ionic DeZign Studios is looking for a Junior Architect/Designer to join our ever growing practice.

IONIC is a Virginia Beach based Architecture and Interiors firm. We work on a variety of project types, including retail, restaurants, hospitality, corporate offices, mixed-use and commercial, financial, municipality projects as well as religious architecture and custom residential homes. IONIC is a firm that strives to set the bar higher in terms creativity and ingenuity throughout the design process. Team IONIC is about relationships. Within a supportive and mentorship philosophy, IONIC provides a climate where you'll succeed and be a part of a continuously growing and evolving family of designers.

We are immediately seeking individual/(s) to join our team to work with our national fast food clientele. Multi locations throughout VA, NC, SC and beyond for new construction and renovation type work. Respondent must be capable of working on multiple projects in various phases simultaneously. Proficient in AutoCad for production of construction documents. Must work well with others for team collaboration. 

Qualifications Summary:

Completion of three to five years in architectural degree program.
Minimum of 3 years total professional experience; experience required in construction documents; beneficial for all other phases of project work including preparation of conceptual, schematic, design development and supporting materials.

Proficient in AutoCad, Revit a plus.
Licensed or actively seeking licensure.

Send resume and references to info@ionicdezigns.com

Architects Do It In The Mud

One of the great things about our office is some of the crazy stuff we do together after hours. Maybe that has to do with the crazy guy that runs things around there? A few weeks ago, we all went down to Eden NC to participate in a team building event called the Mud & Music Mayhem. It is a six mile course that winds us through the country with 30 various obstatlces to conquer. Most of them include MUD of course. Physically challenging but rewarding accomplishments for all. Proof that not only do we work hard......but we certainly play even harder!

Best News comes from our CLIENTS

We had a pretty amazing week with some amazing meetings. It is always interesting to hear what our clients say about us regarding our work. Therefore it is always important to listen very closely. Compliments are what we strive for not just money to keep the bill collectors away. It has always been critical to listen to our clients and solve their design issues in the most creative and productive manner. That's how you get new clients, keep clients and even reach old clients who have decided to return.

CLIENT NUMBER ONE

Our client had stopped by (from North Carolina) to pick up some sets of drawings for one of his restaurants. We have done maybe 7 or 8 fast food renovations over the last couple years. This particular one had been lingering around because of multiple design changes they had decided to make. Unfortunately, they had decided to begin using another architect closer to their home base for their renovations. We understood......sad about it but understood. 

These are great people so we care about them and hoped that all their work was going well. Casual conversation led me to ask....."How's things going with the other work?" 

He said it had been tough. Training a new architect in the ways of fast food (apparently they hadn't done many). "So is there any way we can win back your business?" He responded that was why he was here. I've got one I need started by December, are you interested?

Of course we are! Great clients are not necessarily easy to come by. We always have to prove ourselves showing them we are on top of their needs and interests. They needed productivity, value and knowledge......something IONIC can certainly provide.

We start next week on the project.

CLIENT NUMBER TWO

Initially we received a call from this client to do some minor renovations for an interiors of a vacant furniture store. We had done work previously for them but nothing ever got built. I will say that all furniture sales clients are very difficult. They have certain criteria that are specific to their needs. Nothing wrong with that.....an architect just needs to get tuned into those needs.

Our last outing with this client didn't go so well. I feel it was because the contractor that referred us didn't do the best communication on our behalf. They didn't have our best interests in mind. Proper communication is always the key ingredient to a successful relationship.

Well we gave the interior proposal (mostly just code compliance stuff) but never heard back. A few phone calls asking various questions.....none really about the project at hand. This week they called again and asked about concepts for the exterior. Would I be interested? So, we met talked about an hour about their needs and goals for the renovation of this bland exterior building. They wanted it to pop, they wanted super cost efficient and they wanted all our ideas and concepts quickly.

They had A LOT of input on what they liked and what they didn't like. Perfect.....but not really easy.

So why did they come back to use? They said that the other architects didn't really have our technological capabilities. They were still too old fashioned and couldn't produce the interaction that they needed. IONIC could!

Challenge accepted and we are off and running for next week's presentation.

CLIENT NUMBER THREE

New clients that have never worked with IONIC initially do not understand how we are different. New clients that have never built a building or worked with any architects often do not understand how any of the process works. Nothing wrong with that. We share information along the way and can walk you through the necessary steps.

Unfortunately this one had a quick deadline for the initial architectural concept and site plan required for the city's modification of condition of use. We had basically 7 business days to come up with an exterior building model for this franchise daycare. We had to be quick, thorough and the design needed to blend into the neighborhood but yet stand out. It had to meet all the criteria of the daycare and still be cost effective. It was close to the navy base so we needed to consider sound attenuation requirements.

After some squiggles, doodles and a quick massing model we needle to meet with our client to share our ideas in order to proceed with the paperwork for the city submission. It was a working meeting to share our ideas and pick the colors. Little details could be changed later.

Our new clients shared with us that this wasn't at all what they expected..........but it was really nice. They surprised themselves with how much they liked it. It was unique and creative and met all the goals that they anticipated. Later the next day, they called asking a couple of questions and shared that they both really were impressed with the design that IONIC had developed for them.

And that was a quick study model......wait until they see the full blown renderings. That should knock their socks off!

"Creating places and spaces that enrich the lives of those who use them"

Always important

IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS

www.ionicdezigns.com

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

IONIC seeks Architects and Designers

Ionic DeZign Studios is looking for a Junior Architect to join our ever growing practice.

IONIC is a Virginia Beach based Architecture and Interiors firm. We work on a variety of project types, including retail, restaurants, hospitality, corporate offices, mixed-use and commercial, financial, municipality projects as well as religious architecture and custom residential homes. IONIC is a firm that strives to set the bar higher in terms creativity and ingenuity throughout the design process. Yes, the work is demanding and it takes the effort of putting in the time in order to reap the rewards. However, just as hard as we work we believe in playing equally as hard. Team IONIC is about relationships. Within a supportive and mentorship philosophy, IONIC provides a climate where you'll succeed and be a part of a continuously growing and evolving family of designers.

Qualifications Summary:

Completion of five or six-year architectural degree program.
Minimum of 5 years total professional experience; experience required in all phases of project work including preparation of conceptual, schematic, design development, and construction documents and supporting materials.

Proficient in AutoCad and Revit.
Licensed Architect or actively seeking licensure.

Send resume and references to info@ionicdezigns.com

Just some motivation

IONIC: Thought for the day 5.13.14

The world is in a competitive challenge over everything we do and desire. We all want the better deal....the best deal which makes us willing to jump all around to find it. Sadly, I feel, it makes us all a little greedy. We want the super size value meal, we want baker's dozen, we want the free buffet, we want more for less.

Services we provide for others also have gone under attack. We are forced to provide more for our clients than we ever have before. We are asked to take on more liability. We are asked to do it faster than before. And yes we are asked to do it for less.....than ever before.

All of that is fine. It can be frustrating if we dwell on it too long. It is the way of the world and how we are going to function in the business world unless we are able to find a niche that is secure from the normal. We should be happy to have work and focus on the little things we have....rather than over look and miss out on the details.

The longer I live it seems that I collect more and more stuff......yes stuff. Not sure any of it is really important. Maybe at the time is feels like it is. My garage is full. My closets more than full. And the corners of my house have things piled high waiting for "just in case" to happen so this stuff can be used for something I have yet to plan for in the future.

MIES VAN DER ROHE once quoted the famous saying LESS IS MORE. He was talking about the added unnecessary (in his mind) decoration we add to the outside of a building. I think we can take it one step further and say that probably most everything we have would be better if we only consider that LESS REALLY IS MORE......and BETTER.

After all......is that VALUE meal REALLY a better value?

There is your thought today my friends. Enjoy your day and your loved ones.

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

Ionic Dezign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

"Creating places and spaces that enrich the lives of those who use them."

MATT GETS HIS CCCA

IONIC MOTIVATION 4.18.2014

I will be the first to say that it feels so good to sleep-in in the morning. Although even on my first day of vacation I wake up at 5:15AM......not in my nature to sleep late anymore. One of the best parts of a day is the first thing in the morning. So much ahead that you can tackle as (or even before) the sun comes up. I haven't screwed anything up yet so I have a fresh start......yes I know.....the day is early and I will have lots of opportunities for that. But for now.....it's clean. 

Make your choice my friends.

Second best part if the day ....... Is the end......when you lay your head down on the pillow thinking over the great success of the accomplishments that day only to drift off in preparation of another white slate tomorrow.......but that is another post for another day.

www.ionicdezigns.com

IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS

"Where Art and Architecture Come Together"

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

Principle + Founder

Automotive Sales Development Project

Sometimes projects just take a while to get started for whatever reason. It could be financing, site concerns, cost overruns etc. It can be frustrating for an architect to spend time designing a project to see it on a shelf and never get built. We can tell you that this project for Elite Motors really excites us now that has finally moved forward.

An Economic Development project for Virginia Beach this little automotive dealership should end up being the jewel on the blvd. Located just off First Colonial, the site ran across it's fair share of trouble coming out of the ground: most of the site undercut, underground obstacles, other properties utilities running across the property......yep, the unexpected is never a pleasant surprise when it comes to those types of change orders.

I drive by the site just about every morning on the way to work....even on Sunday on the way to church. I get to see the development spring to life each day. The client's current location is just a block away as well. Two facts that the general contractor, CL Pincus is probably so excited about.....lol. At least we get lots of progress photos.....even if they are drive by shots in the morning.

Here are a few progress photos thus far:

The work is moving along quite nice. Check back with us often to see the progress. If you have an automotive project, whether new or renovation, please give IONIC the opportunity to assist. 

www.ionicdezigns.com

IONIC DEZIGN STUDIOS

"Where Art and Architecture Come Together"

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

Principle + Founder

Respect is a Two Way Street

I once coached rec league football, I did it for thirteen years. Flag football and tackle from ages 6 to 14. Most of that time was with boys ages 10-14, probably some of the toughest times young men have growing up. Both for them and for us around them. They are at that age they are trying to find themselves, trying to determine who they are....what they are......and torture many of us that have to interact with them.

Football is about discipline. Training and teaching an individual to do his part in an overall scheme. An overall scheme that has many other parts. Each individual does his part to the best of their ability and when everyone does this we have success. That is TEAM WORK.

It isn't always necessary for each player to know and understand everything that their teammate knows and understands. Just that they understand their role. A role that the coach has provided them to do. And when it is done well....their role in the team can quite possibly grow. But that takes discipline. Each piece of the team, regardless of the position or that player's experience, is important.

Now each young man that walked out on my practice field for the first time offered me up a challenge. They tested me. Did I know what I was doing? Or was I just a dad out there? How well did I play football? How well was I organized as a coach? Did I have a game plan? Was I a winning coach? Who was this COACH?

I believed that just because my title was coach.....that didn't mean that I had the respect automatically from these young men. I had to earn it. So therefore I had to work for it. Likewise, they had to earn my respect. Respect was expected by and from everyone. Over those first few weeks of practice at the beginning of each season we all quickly understood and appreciated each others role on the team. The older returning players on the team understood and knew my plan as a coach. They paved the way for the younger players as an example. The younger players proved their talent and skills to the others. Respect was born.

Discipline demands respect. Respect demands discipline.

This is what we found each year out on the football field. This is what we have often forgot in the work place. We have forgotten how to respect one another. We have forgotten how to appreciate each other's position on the team. I'm still coaching. Just as an employer now. Still working to earn what is expected. 

Everyone on our team is just as important as those players that were out on the football field. Oh it may not be as exciting as defending a touchdown or saving a tackle or even orchestrating a Hail Mary pass to the end zone as time expires to win the game.......but it is still important. Just as everyone on that football team expected each other to do their part for ultimate success, we in the business world expect the same of our teammates. Without that we cannot expect to succeed. Without respect of each other's talents or roles we cannot expect to achieve our goals.

Respect is a two way street and should be expected from everyone in a team environment. Respect has no boundaries. It has no restrictions, limitations or exemptions. It doesn't matter if you are young and inexperienced or old and years of practice. It doesn't matter if you have had years of education or how much you paid for that education. It just matters that you understand and appreciate what it offers. Whether you are in the battle trenches side by side, lined up on a hash mark in the middle of a field or sitting in a cubicle adjacent to each other......teamwork demands success.

In our field of architecture, we continually learn new things. There are always new products and materials that come out each year. Technology is ever changing and teams need to stay up on the latest to be successful. However, with the invention of all things new, we still harvest respect.

I have always COACHED to our office that just because you went to college for four or five or even more years that you know everything. Just because you have worked in an office for umpteen years and write specifications and draw details for all these products doesn't mean you know everything. Doesn't mean you know more than the guy who installs tile for a living....or the guy that puts together metal panels....or hangs drywall. Because they do that specific thing most everyday and have done it most every way. I bet they know more........RESPECT THE POSITION.

RESPECT requires DISCIPLINE 

DISCIPLINE encourages TEAMWORK

TEAMWORK rewards with SUCCESS

TEAM IONIC

"Creating places and space that enrich the lives of those who use them."

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

www.ionicdezigns.com

EMPLOYMENT OPENINGS at IONIC

Ionic DeZign Studios is looking for a Design Professional to assist in our growing portfolio of multi location projects.

5-10 years experience in preparation and design of construction documents. Well versed knowledge of construction techniques. Capable of directing and managing others. Revit, autocadd and Microsoft software knowledge. Licensed architect preferred. 

IONIC is a Virginia Beach based Architecture and Interiors firm. We work on a variety of project types, including retail, restaurants, hospitality, corporate offices, mixed-use and commercial, financial, municipality projects as well as religious architecture and custom residential homes. IONIC is a firm that strives to set the bar higher in terms creativity and ingenuity throughout the design process. Yes, the work is demanding and it takes the effort of putting in the time in order to reap the rewards. However, just as hard as we work we believe in playing equally as hard. Team IONIC is about relationships. Within a supportive and mentorship philosophy, IONIC provides a climate where you'll succeed and be a part of a continuously growing and evolving family of designers.

Send resumes and interest to info@ionicdezigns.com

Attn: Eugene Thompson, AIA

Welcome to Shannon Riell

A late post due to all the holidays, finishing the office, and all the other hurdles the last few  months. We welcome Shannon to the IONIC family. She will be handling all the project management tasks while assisting our design staff and admin for many other things. She is another "glue" holding us together.

Along with some general office duties, Shannon coordinates and tracks all of the product submittals that are received for the projects we are currently engaged in. Making sure that we review and return information in a timely manner is important to us because we know it is important to our clients and contractors.

She is also involved with engaging the local and out of town planning departments determining our design requirements for all of our projects on the east coast and Midwest. She tracks and follows up on progress with the submissions for building plan review and health department so we can obtain the necessary construction permits. After construction begins filing and organizing all the special inspections reports, field reports by our design team as well as progress payments to general contractors. She is a busy lady.

We welcome her to the team.

Ionic Dezign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

Welcome Alison Allred

We want wish a giant welcome to Alison Allred, Assoc ASID-IIDA to the IONIC family. She joins our team in support of our efforts in the production world for our restaurant clients as well as adding to the expansion of our interior design department. Be sure to watch for more as we post her profile information in the coming weeks. Welcome!

Ionic DeZign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

Creating Places and Spaces that Enrich the Lives that Use Them.

NFCU Jobsite Progress

The new Navy Federal Credit Union construction marches forward in Chesapeake Virginia. We did a quick site visit last week between the snow falls to see how the contractor, HOY Construction was doing. All was looking great.

Ionic DeZign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

The IONIC Rejuvenation- The Journey

This January we finished up the renovations and expansion to our office in Towncenter area of Virginia Beach. It was a long time in the planning primarily due to soooo many ideas running through my head and partly due to our expected expansion. Initially in January of 2013, we had decided that the front office area needed a facelift. We had been there nearly 11 years and several things that I didn't like......or maybe was just tired of...needed to be addressed. This area included only the front reception and the conference room.

Then it happened. I hired another person......and then another.....and then another....oh wait where are they going to sit? I needed to expand. Thankfully there was an open vacant conference space available adjacent to our existing space. We set out task to see how we could take just a minimal amount.......ahhhhh....might as well take it all.....you never know. So we did.

Planning your own architectural office isn't really an easy thing. After all we have so many ideas running around in our head for all of our clients. But this was ours! What could we possibly do? We had to restart our design efforts and begin again as well as negotiate the extension to our lease.

Phasing first had to be considered as we knew that we had to maintain operations throughout the entire construction time. One area needed to be finished....or mostly finished....before we could move on to the next area. We figured we would have to live through some mess.

Program space became our next issue to tackle. There were several areas we needed to account for in our new space that we lacked.
 

1. Storage Space: more storage space for all catalogs and samples that seem to continually spawn within our office walls. We never seem to have enough shelf space. A simple closet.....you know....a place that you can toss stuff you don't know what to do with and that cannot be placed on a shelf. We needed a junk closet bad. Of course it would be the nicest of junk closets! It needed to handle things like a vacuum cleaner, old files, old drawings, paper supplies....and whatever needed.

2. Production Space: obviously what started this whole thing! We needed to account for our current staff plus whatever additional we might anticipate in the near future. This was meant to be an open office studio area.

3. Conference Room: We really needed a new conference space since our little room couldn't even handle our own staff meetings any longer. There were times when our client meetings even got larger than we could handle. We needed something that could accommodate 10-12 seats. This held us back. Honestly, we also needed more meeting spaces because there seemed to be more and more times that more than one meeting was taking place. This was going to be a task to configure our space to handle something like this and still maintain proper flow. 

A few things that we wanted to incorporate into our renovation was sustainability or reclaimed artifacts. We needed to practice what we preach. However you can't always plan these types of designs entirely because you need to search for those products you have in mind. Then once you find what you are looking for.....figure out how to design around it and properly incorporated. Repurposing items in a manner that you never expected is also a lot of fun......another goal of the office design....FUN!

Over the next few weeks we will share in detail each of the rooms and the details of how we accomplished our goals. We will share materials acquired, furniture purchased, pieces made and how we did it. Stay tuned each week for updates.

Ionic DeZign Studios

D. Eugene Thompson, AIA

www.ionicdezigns.com

Where Art and Architecture Come Together

IONIC: Manage Your Day 2.2.2014

There are many times when I am going through various struggles in my life, business, career etc. I probably ponder way too much on these things but I am inquisitive and curious as to how one acts and reacts to suffering. There are many people that break down and figure it is the end of the world and there will be no tomorrow. Others just hunker down and push right on forward. I am not here to say which is better, everyone is different and everyone reacts different. I feel it is how we react to diversity that portrays our character.

The bible tells us that we are to embrace and appreciate the struggles. Easier said than done. These troubles not only defines us but shapes us and molds us for the future. Why do we face them? To prepare us (or others) for what may yet come. We never really know what is around the corner, but what we do know is that what ever it is, we should embrace it and figure a way through it, around it, over it or even under it. 

Consider the trials as tests of our endurance. Run the race my friends.

Eugene Thompson

Ionic DeZign Studios

www.ionicdezigns.com

"Creating spaces and places that enrich the lives of those who use them."

BRATS + HARDHATS ReScheduled

Due to the weather and likelihood that the roads will still be unsafe for travel, we have rescheduled the event for 2.4.2014 from 4-7. We hope that everyone can come out and celebrate with us!

Eugene Thompson

www.ionicdezigns.com

757.499.3510