About this video

• Video Title: 5 steps to designing the life you want
• Channel: TEDx Talks
• Speakers: Bill Burnett
• Duration: 25:21

Overview

Bill Burnett, co-author of "Designing Your Life," presents a talk on applying design thinking principles to create a fulfilling life. He challenges common beliefs that hinder life design, such as the need to find a singular passion or the pressure to have life figured out by a certain age. Burnett outlines five key ideas for designing one's life: connecting the dots for meaning, avoiding "gravity problems," ideating multiple future versions of oneself, prototyping experiences before committing, and choosing well by integrating emotional intelligence.

Key takeaways

• Design Thinking for Life: The principles of design thinking, used for innovation in products and services, can be effectively applied to the "design problem" of one's own life.
• Challenging Dysfunctional Beliefs: Common societal beliefs like "find your passion," "don't be late," and "be the best" can be limiting and are reframed to be more helpful for life design.
• Connecting the Dots for Meaning: A meaningful life arises from coherently connecting one's sense of self, beliefs, and actions through defining "life view" and "work view."
• Addressing Gravity Problems: Recognize and accept "gravity problems" (unchangeable circumstances) and reframe them or make peace with them, rather than getting stuck trying to solve them.
• Ideating Multiple Futures: Brainstorming at least three distinct five-year versions of one's life allows for a broader exploration of possibilities and more generative solutions.
• Prototyping Experiences: Test potential life paths through low-risk prototypes, such as informational interviews ("prototype conversations") or trial experiences, before making significant commitments.
• Choosing Well: Making good decisions involves gathering options, reducing them to a manageable number, using emotional intelligence and "gut feelings," and finally, committing and moving on without excessive regret.
• Cultivating Creative Confidence: The process of life design can help individuals discover and build their "creative confidence," realizing they are capable of designing a well-lived and joyful life.