Thoughts

Want to be modern?
Don't chase the now, by the time it's caught it'll be the tacky recent past.
Examine the true successes of the past and learn. Think about what lasts.

Do you know what really matters about you?
Lots of people have your skills, but none of them have your ideas.
Don't just do what people say, be sure to have your say; it counts.

Can you clone the essence of others?
What has made others successful is theirs.
Try and copy them and little of what worked for them will become yours.
Find a new way.

One step too far removed?
Design is problem solving, not just giving the abstract form.
Without knowing the problems of your clients or customers you can't give them an answer.