Some books are good. Some books are useful.

And then there are books that rearrange your brain.

Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans is that book for me.

It’s about how to be happy, figure out what you want, and actually make it happen—by applying design thinking to your life.

If I had read it sooner, it would’ve saved me an unfathomable amount of time, stress, and money.

So I want to share it with you.

The Book Club That Never Reformed

I started reading Designing Your Life with a book club in early 2020.

We planned to take a short break… for that virus thing to clear up.

Obviously, that never happened.

We never reformed the club, but later that year, I picked up the book again—and devoured it. Then again. And again.

Four years, half a dozen listens, and I still get something new every time.

3 Takeaways That Changed How I Make Decisions

1. Prototype first, decide later.

Big changes—career shifts, moves—are risky.

Instead of making a massive leap, take a mini-step first. Try a short project, an extended trip, or a low-stakes experiment.

See if you love the reality—not just the idea.

2. Stop applying for random jobs—and do this instead.

It rarely works. Instead:

Start conversations with people who are doing the thing you want to do.
Ask good questions and listen. Most people want to be helpful, especially to an enthusiastic listener.
Follow up. A single chat won’t change your life, but relationships built over time will.

I’ve collected endless introductions, job offers, and referrals this way—with a fraction of the time, stress, and effort.

3. Log what makes you happy.

Not sure what you enjoy? Track it.

A “good time journal” helps you see patterns in your energy and engagement levels. Try the AEIOU method to pinpoint what you do (or don’t) enjoy about an activity:

Activities: What were you doing?
Environment: Where were you?
Interactions: Who were you with?
Objects: What tools or things were involved?
Users: Who else played a role?

The Hardest, Simplest Journey

Deciding what I want has been the hardest, simplest part of life.

But once I figure it out? Things move fast.

If any of this sounds familiar, read Designing Your Life. You’ll get something out of it.

🗣️ 📚 Hi, I’m Simi, and I turn conversations into books. I created a free resource to help you start. Click the link to get your free copy: www.speakbooks.live

The One Book I Keep Recommending (And Re-Reading)

Some books are good. Some books are useful.And then there are books that rearrange your brain.Design

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