In the previous articles, we’ve explored the core principles of "Designing Your Life," embracing a designer mindset, and the powerful tools of crafting "Odyssey Plans" and running "prototypes." We’ve learned how to envision multiple futures and how to test them out in low-risk ways. Now, you might be asking: After all this exploration and experimentation, how do I make choices? How do I stick with them when the going gets tough? And who do I bring along on this journey?
This final article will delve into the crucial stages of decision-making, resilience, and community building, as outlined by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. The design process isn't just about coming up with ideas; it's also about moving forward with intention, navigating inevitable challenges, and leveraging the power of connection. For career and transitions coaching, these elements are vital, as making informed choices and having a robust support system can make all the difference in achieving sustainable change and fulfillment.
Choosing Well: Deciding Without Indecision
One of the greatest fears for many people, especially when faced with multiple attractive options (often the result of good prototyping!), is making the "wrong" choice. Burnett and Evans dedicate significant attention to the process of choosing, offering strategies that move beyond mere pro/con lists.
Narrow Down Your Options: While generating many ideas is good, you eventually need to narrow them down to a manageable few (often 3-5) to compare more deeply. This isn't about eliminating possibilities forever, but about focusing your energy.
The "Mind Map" Technique (or "Good Time Journal"): The book suggests using tools like the "Good Time Journal" (a practice of noting when you feel engaged and energized) and "Energy Maps" (visualizing what activities deplete or energize you) to gain deeper insight into what truly resonates. When evaluating your options, consider which ones align best with your peak energy moments and your deepest values (your Workview and Lifeview).
The "Jam Problem": Drawing on research about choice overload, the authors advise against having too many options. Just as shoppers presented with too many jam flavors buy less, too many life options can lead to paralysis. Focus on a few strong contenders.
Trust Your Gut (Informed Intuition): After thorough exploration and prototyping, your "gut" feeling becomes an informed intuition. It’s not a random hunch, but a synthesis of all the data, experiences, and reflections you’ve gathered. When faced with a decision between two seemingly good options, ask yourself: Which one truly feels more aligned with who I am and who I want to become? Which one generates more excitement and less dread?
Let Go and Move On: Once you've made a decision, practice "letting go" of the unchosen paths. This doesn't mean regretting them, but consciously releasing the mental energy tied to them so you can fully commit to your chosen direction. Every "yes" to one thing is a "no" to another, and that's okay. The key is to trust that your decision, based on solid design work, is the right one for now.
Building Resilience: Persistence Through the Plateaus
Life design, like any design process, isn't always a smooth upward curve. There will be plateaus, setbacks, and moments of doubt. This is where resilience and persistence become vital. The authors emphasize several key aspects of navigating these challenges:
Failure Immunity (Learning from "Gravity Problems"): Burnett and Evans introduce the concept of "gravity problems" – situations that are simply facts of life, unchangeable circumstances (like gravity itself). Trying to solve a gravity problem is futile and frustrating. Instead, you must accept it and reframe your approach. For example, if you want a career that requires a specific, non-negotiable certification you don't have, and you're unwilling or unable to get it, that's a gravity problem. The design challenge then becomes: how do I achieve my desired outcome given this constraint? This shift from "I can't change it" to "How do I work with or around it?" is a powerful resilience builder.
Getting Unstuck: When you feel stuck, return to the core principles. Re-engage your curiosity. What new questions can you ask? Reframe the problem. Is there a different way to look at this challenge? Bias to action. What small prototype can you run to gather new information? Sometimes, simply taking a small, tangible step can break the cycle of inertia.
The "Well-Formed Life": The book reminds us that a well-designed life isn't a perfect life, but one that is coherent and joyful. Coherence means that your Workview, Lifeview, and actions are in alignment. Joy means engaging in activities that bring you energy and meaning. When faced with challenges, reconnecting to these guiding principles can help you evaluate if you're still on a path that is, overall, well-formed for you.
Building Your Team: The Power of Community and Mentorship
You don't have to design your life in a vacuum. In fact, one of the strongest messages from Designing Your Life is the importance of "radical collaboration" and building a supportive community.
Your Design Team: The authors encourage you to assemble a "design team" – a small group of trusted individuals (friends, colleagues, mentors) who can offer diverse perspectives, constructive feedback, and accountability. This team isn't there to tell you what to do, but to brainstorm with you, listen actively, and challenge your assumptions in a supportive way. Meeting regularly with your design team can provide invaluable external perspective when you're too close to your own situation.
Mentors: Seek out mentors who have navigated similar transitions or are excelling in areas you aspire to. A mentor can offer guidance, open doors, and share wisdom gained through their own experiences. Remember that mentorship can take many forms – it doesn't have to be a formal, long-term commitment. A single insightful conversation can be a form of mentorship.
Your Network: Beyond formal mentors, cultivate a diverse network. These are the people who can provide insights for life design interviews, offer experience prototypes, or simply provide encouragement. Networking isn't just about transactional opportunities; it's about building genuine connections and a community of support. Many people fear networking, but the book reframes it as simply being curious about other people's stories and being open to sharing your own journey.
Continuously Designing Your Evolving Life
Designing Your Life offers a profound shift in how we approach our careers and overall well-being. It’s not a prescriptive guide to the perfect life, but a toolkit for continually shaping a life that feels authentic, engaging, and joyful for you. By learning to embrace curiosity, take action through prototyping, make conscious choices, build resilience, and lean on a supportive community, you empower yourself to be the active designer of your own existence.
The journey of life design is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and evolving. Your values will shift, your interests will change, and new opportunities will emerge. The beauty of the design thinking approach is that it equips you with the mindset and tools to navigate these changes with confidence and creativity. So, as you embark on your own life design adventure, remember that your life is your greatest design project. Be curious, take action, connect with others, and continually refine the masterpiece that is your life. What’s one step you’ll take this week to actively design a more coherent, joyful life for yourself?
If any of these themes resonate with you, I strongly encourage you to read Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans for a richer understanding. Tailoring them for you and supplementing these concepts with personalized strategies and tools is where a coach comes in.
