We recently connected with Juan & Valentina Delcan & Izaguirre and have shared our conversation below.
Juan & Valentina, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
Our Optimism comes from constantly questioning assumptions, recognizing the worth of all individuals, experiences, and even the smallest of things, such as a simple matchstick. I believe we are wired to believe that things will get better, and that we have the power to make them better.
Looking at the brighter side of things is a choice that we make. It takes effort and discipline to reframe negative thoughts and to focus on the good things in our lives.
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?
We are the Matchstick People, a dynamic duo of visual artists (V+J) who specialize in crafting short stories that explore the human condition through the use of matchsticks as a metaphor.” Currently, we are working on a movie about a village where the houses are made out of matchboxes. Alongside our film projects, we are also delving into product design and have plans to release a lamp shaped like a matchstick.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
1/ Attention, or the ability to focus on what is important and tune out distractions, is a crucial skill in today’s world. With the abundance of distractions present in our daily lives, it can be difficult to maintain focus on a single task. However, by paying close attention, one is able to uncover potential inspiration and innovative ideas at every moment.
2/ Deep understanding of the matter in hand, which involves dedicated study and practice, as well as a passion for the subject. And the third skill is
3/ Fascination is not typically considered a skill in the traditional sense, but having fascination for something can act as a powerful motivator to engage in the activities necessary to develop a skill.
As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?
Allegro ma non troppo” is a book by the Italian economist Carlo M. Cipolla. The book is a satirical work that presents a humorous and unconventional view of human stupidity. In the book, Cipolla outlines five “basic laws of human stupidity”, which are meant to explain why people often make foolish decisions and act in ways that are detrimental to themselves and others. These laws include the law of obviousness, the law of self-deception, the law of common sense, the law of mentality, and the law of human stupidity. Cipolla argues that understanding these laws can help us to avoid making stupid mistakes and to make better decisions in our lives
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thematchstickpeople.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juan_delcan/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thematchstickpeople
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juandelcan/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/juan_delcan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@juandelkan
