Leveraging Design Thinking in Personal Life
Our agency underwent a transformation when we fully embraced design thinking and sprints as a key aspect of our process in early 2020. This shift completely changed our approach to client problems and challenged us to think differently about business and problem-solving. The design-thinking and sprint methodology broadened our perspectives, allowing us to see obstacles as opportunities. As we continued to use this process, I became increasingly invested in this way of working.
In 2021, I decided to apply the principles of empathy, understanding, and iterative testing to my personal life and relationships. I aimed to make positive changes to my habits and health by considering what wasn't working for me mentally and physically. I sought advice from others and did extensive reading. One book that particularly resonated with me was Iceman by Wim Hof, so I decided to give his a try.
Just like I would approach any business problem, I decided to test this out through a design sprint before fully committing to it. This approach helped me to be more confident in making changes to my life. I started small, with only 30 days iterations…
BeCurious Work Station
30 Day Challenges
I began by undertaking small 30-day personal challenges, successfully completing three of them over the spring and summer of 2021:
30 days of only cold showers
30 days of no sugar in my diet
30 days of morning runs ( I fkn hate running )
These short iterations helped me to better understand myself and my capabilities, and allowed me to form new, positive habits. Not all of these changes became permanent, but they demonstrated that solutions are available.
The experience also taught me how easily new habits can be formed and how to approach negative habits in my life. Essentially, it transformed my life. What once seemed like an insurmountable challenge was now seen as endless opportunities that could be conquered with iteration and consistency.
Similarly, in business, I transformed uncertainty and risk into opportunities by considering all possible solutions, seeking advice from others, and viewing the problem from all angles. It really works, and you can do the same. The first step is to understand what that entails.
Photo by Fitsum Admasu on Unsplash
Understanding Design Thinking
Design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and iterative development. It starts with understanding the problem at hand and the people affected by it, and then exploring possible solutions through prototypes and testing. This approach allows for a more comprehensive and creative solution to emerge, rather than relying solely on past experiences or preconceived notions.
How to Apply Design Thinking in Personal Life
Empathize with yourself.
The first step in applying design thinking to personal life is to understand and empathize with your own needs and wants. This requires taking a step back and reflecting on your personal challenges, motivations, and aspirations. Ask yourself questions such as, "What is holding me back?" "What do I want to achieve?" and "What do I value in life?" Understanding your own needs and wants will help you to better focus your problem-solving efforts.
Define the problem.
Once you have a clear understanding of your needs and wants, the next step is to define the problem you want to solve. This could be anything from finding a new career path, improving your health and wellness, or building stronger relationships. Be specific about the problem and try to define it in measurable terms.
Look for solutions.
With a clear understanding of the problem, the next step is to generate ideas and solutions. This can be done through brainstorming, researching, and talking to others who have faced similar challenges. The goal is to generate as many ideas and solutions as possible, without immediately evaluating their feasibility or viability.
Try it out.
Once you have a list of possible solutions, the next step is to start experimenting and testing these ideas. This could be as simple as trying out a new habit, taking a class, or making a change to your daily routine. The key is to take action and see what works, what doesn't, and what can be improved.
Build habits.
Based on your testing and experimentation, the final step is to iterate and refine your habits until you find the best possible solution to your problem. This may require making several iterations, trying new ideas, and adjusting your approach until you find what works best for you.
Benefits of Design Thinking in Personal Life
By applying design thinking to personal life, individuals can benefit from a more creative and effective approach to problem-solving. This approach encourages a growth mindset, helps individuals overcome limiting beliefs and biases, and provides a structured approach to making progress towards their goals. Additionally, design thinking can help individuals to develop new skills and perspectives, and lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life.
Are you in or out?
Design thinking is a powerful tool that can be applied in personal life to help individuals navigate their challenges and achieve their goals. By following the five steps outlined above, you can benefit from a more creative and effective approach to problem-solving, and lead a more fulfilling and meaningful life. So why not give it a try and start applying design thinking to your personal life today?
