I toted my laptop, sketchbook, markers, pencils, notebook and some magazines to the Starbucks down the street. I've been here for almost two hours and feel as though I've accomplished nothing. I don't know, maybe I was trying to force creativity which is stupid because that almost never works out for me.

I've developed a new strategy in order to hype myself up and hopefully hit the switch that's been pointing to off for the majority of this summer break. While thinking of how I'd like to design my online portfolio I started to interview myself. No, I'm not sitting here creeping out the other Starbucks patrons by talking to myself and portraying some kind of split personality disorder. I'm just sort of trying to better define my skills to myself so that when I self-promote I know exactly what I'm saying and why I'm saying it. Here's what I've got so far:

What do you want to say about yourself and more importantly, your work?

I want to show people that I have something, a spark, a way of thinking, that others don't. I want to convey my love for beauty and design as well as great ideas in a way that forces people to look at me as more of a strategically thoughtful, creative person and not just someone who can make visually pleasing images.

I want my thoughts to come across clearly and concisely without sacrificing the personal flair that will set me apart from other young creatives.

Well what DOES set you apart?

I have an energy when it comes to creating that I can best describe as relentless. I'm not in the slightest bit willing to let sub par ideas or half-assed art/design represent me as an artist. I'm not afraid to hear that an idea sucks. Tell me it sucks, tell me to try again. I want to hear all of that criticism so that I can continue to improve upon my work and my pieces. I want to make sure that the pieces I put out into the world are in their very best, impressive form. But back to why this makes me different: Criticism does not and will not make me bitter, ever. And that is only because I absolutely refuse to allow it to.

I'm aware that I have a long ways to go, there are many dues I have yet to pay and a multitude of skills I must work on harnessing and implementing in my work. I don't find this daunting, I find it exciting and I'm more than ready to become a force to be reckoned with in the ad world.