Think of it like the 90s, dialing through morning radio, tuning out the fuzz until you hit that perfect station. Life Design is all about those daily choices that truly reflect who you are and what you want. It’s about finding those moments that make life yours.
The concept was introduced by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans at Stanford University and elaborated upon in their book ‘Designing Your Life‘. They also offer a course on CreativeLive, where they guide participants through the Life Design process.
Life Design incorporates design thinking methods and journaling to address significant questions and make important decisions regarding various aspects of one’s life, including education, career, and overall purpose.
Their principle that “everyone is a maker” reminds us that each of us contributes uniquely to the world through creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Here, “payment” isn’t just financial; it’s about the value of impact, joy, and authenticity. This approach reframes success as the meaningful change we bring to others, measuring fulfillment by the heart rather than the wallet.
In this video, they discuss the "three versions of your life" exercise. It involves imagining three paths over the next five years: one that follows your current path, another with a major shift, and a third that's bold and imaginative. This exercise promotes reflection and creativity, helping you explore different futures and clarify goals that align with your values.
The Life Design journey starts with clarity—understanding your current “location” and destination, much like using Google Maps. From there, you explore four foundational areas: health, work, play, and love. Health encompasses physical and emotional well-being; work includes paid and volunteer efforts; play means enjoyment for its own sake; and love focuses on personal connections.
It’s a process, and it takes time. Discovering your strengths, your passions, and quieting the world’s noise to hear your own rhythm are all part of designing a well-lived life.
Passion is the result of a well-designed life, not the cause.
Beijos,
Babi
“Life design” is one of the most important things we should learn to take care of our planet and as a consequence of ourselves. Thanks Babi for so relevant article.