Meet Frederick Noland

 

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Frederick Noland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Frederick below.

Frederick, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I haven’t overcome my imposter syndrome, I’ve learned to live with it. I can be objective and look at how and where my work has been accepted and recognize this isn’t a quarter century long fluke. I can also consider how blessed I’ve been with friends, family and colleagues and recognize my relationships are a reflection of who I am. But imposter syndrome doesn’t care about logic. I just have to nod to it, like the person in the office I hate, and avoid getting into the elevator with him.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My practice is as a visual storyteller. I tell stories with pictures. This takes the form of comics, infographics, sketchnotes and animation among others. It never ceases to delight when someone discovers the power of comics ability to transmit information, share experience, inform, educate and entertain.

I’ve been fortunate in applying my practice in wide and varied ways; starting with and often returning to my underground and small press roots. I’ve created comics reviews, gag strips, single panel, historical, autobiographical and biographical comics. I’m in the process of wrapping on a biography of Major Taylor; a turn of the century black cyclist and arguably one of the world’s first international stars.

My animated work and sketchnotes have been enriching in ways I never imagined; bringing me into the world of nonprofits and broadening my worldview. I get to create work that matters, has a lasting impact and changes hearts and minds.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Number one in both life and career; keep good people around you. I cannot stress this enough. It can sound pollyanna but this is crucial. Negativity is like a low-grade fever that saps your energy, drive and focus. It goes both ways of course. Don’t hang out with shitty people and don’t be a shitty person!

As a creator it’s necessary to move beyond your influences and the sooner you can do that the sooner you will find your own voice. Starting out it’s natural to look to others in your field for inspiration and help imagining possibilities but the scale should eventually shift from consumer to creator.. Drawing upon resources outside your chosen field or discipline enriches your life and work.

Don’t forget your body. Play is important. Movement. Whether it’s rock climbing or a walk around the neighborhood.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
Geez, thats a tough one. I’m certainly not as “enlightened” as I would aspire to be, but I spend a lot of time and energy trying to live right. It’s constant and hard work, trying to balance productivity, family, friends and mental and physical health. My focus these last few years has been in engaging my empathy more, which brings me to more focus on friends and family; having honest, helpful and loving interactions. If the clock is ticking down I think I want to continue to put my energy into that, and to hopefully empart something of value to those I care about.
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©2024 Frederick Noland

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