Make a lot of things so you can choose your best pieces for your portfolio. Make things so your portfolio isn’t just rebranded templates. If you work on a lot of little things now you’ll have a lot more work done in a couple of weeks

The Maker mentality — I dig it! What about for those who aren't Makers *yet*?

Start to develop good taste if you can. Study portfolios of great designers, their work / books if avail, and try to build your style and taste. If music many times musicians will make a song similar to a hit to see how it is written, structured and produced. Similar method