Living Intentionally: How to Design a Life You Love
Living intentionally is about making deliberate choices that reflect your values and goals. In their groundbreaking book, Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life, authors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans provide a framework for creating a life of purpose and joy using design-thinking principles. By approaching life as a design problem, you can craft a path that aligns with your aspirations and evolves with your needs.
Here’s how you can apply the principles from Designing Your Life to start living more intentionally today:
1. Embrace a Designer’s Mindset
One of the key takeaways from Designing Your Life is the idea that there’s no one “perfect” life. Instead, life is full of multiple pathways, each offering its own set of opportunities. By adopting a designer’s mindset, you approach challenges with curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to prototype new possibilities.
For instance, if you’re unsure about a career change, try a “life prototype” by shadowing someone in your desired field or taking on a side project. This helps you test ideas without committing to drastic changes.
“You can’t know where you’re going until you know where you are.” — Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Start by assessing your current situation. Ask yourself: What’s working well? What’s not? This awareness is the first step toward designing a life you love.
2. Build Your Compass
Burnett and Evans emphasize the importance of a “life compass” to guide your decisions. This compass is built on two components:
- Workview: What does work mean to you, and how does it fit into your life?
- Lifeview: What gives life meaning and purpose?
By aligning your workview and lifeview, you can ensure your actions reflect your core values. For example, if your lifeview prioritizes family time, but your workview involves long hours away from home, it may be time to recalibrate and design a career that supports your priorities.
3. Reframe Problems
Reframing is a powerful tool for overcoming roadblocks in intentional living. Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, focus on what’s possible. Burnett and Evans suggest asking, “What’s the next step I can take?” instead of being paralyzed by big questions like, “What’s my ultimate purpose in life?”
For example, if you’re overwhelmed by balancing work and family, reframe the issue: How can I create micro-moments of connection with my kids each day? This shift helps you move forward and make progress.
4. Try Radical Collaboration
In Designing Your Life, the authors highlight the importance of collaboration. Designing your life is not a solo journey—it requires input from others. Seek advice from trusted friends, mentors, or family members who can offer fresh perspectives and help you brainstorm solutions.
For example, if you’re trying to create more intentional routines for your family, involve your kids and spouse in the process. Ask them what’s working and what could improve. Together, you can design a system that supports everyone’s needs.
5. Create Your Odyssey Plans
One of the book’s standout exercises is the creation of “Odyssey Plans.” These are three alternate versions of your life for the next five years:
- The life you’re currently planning.
- The life you’d pursue if the current plan wasn’t an option.
- The life you’d live if money, time, or obligations weren’t a factor.
This exercise helps you break free from limiting beliefs and explore exciting possibilities. Choose one or two ideas from your plans to prototype, like trying a new hobby, volunteering, or exploring a different career path.
6. Practice Wayfinding
Burnett and Evans use the concept of “wayfinding,” inspired by ancient navigation techniques. Instead of focusing on a distant destination, follow clues in the present moment to guide you forward. Pay attention to what energizes you and brings you joy—it’s a sign you’re on the right path.
For example, if you notice that writing or teaching excites you, explore opportunities to incorporate these activities into your life.
Final Thoughts: Designing Your Life with Intention
The principles from Designing Your Life remind us that intentional living isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. By embracing a designer’s mindset, building your compass, and experimenting with new possibilities, you can create a life that feels aligned with your values and dreams.
Remember, the journey to intentional living is ongoing. With curiosity, creativity, and courage, you can design a life that’s both meaningful and joyful.
Call to Action:
What’s one area of your life you’d like to redesign? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let’s inspire each other to live with intention!