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Designing Your Work Life

summary ofDesigning Your Work LifeBook by Bill Burnett, Dave Evans

14 min
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You’ll learn

  • How to get fulfillment from work
  • The power of small steps
  • The Set The Bar Low method
  • How to resign properly

first KEY POINT

Design thinking is a way to create meaning in your life

Today’s workplace is in a state of continual flux. Companies are constantly evolving, becoming increasingly agile, and shifting faster to meet ever-changing demands. In this dynamic world, it is up to workers to define their success and satisfaction. With that, you can avoid sticking to a job that doesn't bring you joy.Management teams must work with their employees to find a suitable middle ground, and they should offer resources to develop an appropriate culture within the workplace. The culture needs to allow workers to feel comfortable with the fast-moving changes within their working environment as the business adapts to the developing demands of the market.

Since we spend most of our time at work, we look to our jobs to provide us with meaning and impact.

A dream work life is the responsibility of the company and each employee. As a worker, you can develop a strategy that emphasizes the meaning and impact of what you do. There is no point in waiting for changes to come by themselves; you have to act so that they finally happen.In this summary, you will learn more about designing your life in a way that brings you contentment and joy.How to turn work into a place of strength and fulfillment? Why is it sometimes beneficial to set lower requirements for your position and the people around you? Here you will find the answers to these questions.You’ll also learn that quitting isn’t necessarily bad or something you should automatically avoid.Following the advice here, you'll become happier, healthier, and more productive. Turn the page to learn more.

second KEY POINT

Don't wait for happiness; work toward your desires

Waiting for a happy place to appear magically is a futile effort. A better and higher-paying job only sometimes improves our lives. The point is whether we know how to appreciate what we have now and where we are going. If the work corresponds to our values and is a particular stage of our growth, it will bring satisfaction. But how can we know whether this specific activity is suitable for us? We should pay attention to our feelings.When we feel anger, irritation, and despair, it signals that we are not meeting our needs. To change this, we must act.

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first KEY POINT

Make the best of a poor situation by trying to change it

second KEY POINT

Avoid using the wrong compass for your work and life

third KEY POINT

Develop a good mindset to feel fulfilled and engaged

fourth KEY POINT

Don’t resign from your job; instead, redesign

fifth KEY POINT

Reframe quitting as a choice, and leave with a purpose

sixth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Bill Burnett is an Adjunct Professor and Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford. Dave Evans is a lecturer in Stanford's design program and co-founder and VP of talent at Electronic Arts.

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Frequently asked questions

What is Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work about?

Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work, authored by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, focuses on applying design thinking principles to create a more fulfilling work experience. The authors provide practical strategies for redefining your career and finding joy in your professional life.

What are the key takeaways from Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work?

Key takeaways from Designing Your Work Life include the importance of viewing your career as a design project and the value of prototyping different career paths. The book emphasizes adaptability and encourages readers to embrace change and explore new possibilities to enhance their work satisfaction.

Is Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work worth reading?

Yes, Designing Your Work Life is worth reading for anyone seeking to improve their work life and happiness at work. The book is filled with actionable advice and insights from experienced authors Burnett and Evans, making it a valuable resource for both professionals and students.

How many pages is Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work and when was it published?

Designing Your Work Life has approximately 288 pages and was published on March 23, 2021. This length allows for an in-depth exploration of its innovative ideas and techniques.

How can Designing Your Work Life: How to Thrive and Change and Find Happiness at Work help me in my career?

This book helps you apply design thinking to your career by encouraging you to reshape your work life according to your personal values and aspirations. It provides practical frameworks for experimenting with different roles and paths, ultimately guiding you toward a more satisfying professional journey.