Meet Yilin Zou

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Yilin Zou a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Yilin, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I once faced this issue as well. Part of it stemmed from my desire to constantly push myself to improve, while another part was due to the realization that I am not flawless. For instance, there may be certain societal benchmarks of success that I have yet to achieve. Through interacting with others, I came to realize that everyone experiences a blend of pride and insecurity. Furthermore, despite the world being objectively structured, our subjective interpretations of it shape our subsequent actions and their outcomes. Upon grasping this concept, I made a conscious decision to stop wasting time on self-doubt. Instead, I chose to focus all my energy on marching towards my goal.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I currently work as an interaction designer and have recently embarked on the journey of starting my own ceramics brand. As an interaction designer, I derive immense satisfaction from understanding people and endeavor to enhance our interactions with the world, with a focus on creating more meaningful experiences. What initially captivated me about this field is my profound enthusiasm for the entire process it entails—identifying issues, solving problems, and devising solutions that truly resonate. Collaborating with colleagues and engaging with users not only exposes me to diverse perspectives but also ignites innovative ideas, which I thoroughly enjoy bringing to life. In addition to my work on digital products, I have recently delved into offline brand development and product design, aiming to enrich user experiences across various touchpoints.

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?

Persistence, optimism, and a sense of fulfillment are crucial. If you haven’t yet discovered your passion or area of expertise, that’s perfectly fine. Stay positive and have faith that everything is a part of life’s journey. Keep pushing forward, practice patience, and you’ll often find yourself achieving your desires. Moreover, offering yourself daily encouragement for even the smallest accomplishments can invite even more good fortune! However, sustaining persistence, optimism, and self-satisfaction over the long haul is no easy feat. You may experience anxiety and disappointment due to financial circumstances, the progress of others, or their opinions of you. During such times, it’s important to acknowledge your feelings and remind yourself that you’re on your own unique path. There’s no need for anxiety, as it serves no purpose.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I resonate with this question because I always have a multitude of things I want to pursue. I have a wide array of hobbies and interests, and there are many fields I wish to explore. However, it’s impossible to tackle everything at once. This used to cause me anxiety, and it even led to severe insomnia. But I’ve found a solution! It’s quite simple: I write it all down. I maintain a calendar where I schedule all the things I want to do. While this may sound straightforward, one of my hurdles was the tendency to be overly self-critical if I didn’t complete tasks as planned. So, I’ve worked on overcoming this sense of guilt, striving to be kinder to myself. I’ve come to realize that it’s okay if I can’t finish everything; it’s a normal part of life. By clearing my mind and organizing my thoughts, I’ve actually become more productive, and my days feel more fulfilling. The sensation of progressing each day is truly rewarding. Furthermore, some people may not realize that feeling overwhelmed stems from caring too much about others’ opinions of them. I had this mindset when I first switched careers. However, this habit doesn’t help at all! No one can read minds, and you don’t have to be responsible for others’ feelings. Just focus on doing your best; that’s enough.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://yilinzou.wixsite.com/uxdesign
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artyilin/