Leave a Comment / Reviews / By admin
I originally picked up Designing Your Life because one of my kids had to read it for a college class. That made sense. College students are supposed to be figuring out what they want to do with their lives.
But I read it at age 51 (and 3/4ths), when I presumably should have this whole thing mostly figured out.
I do not.
One of the book’s biggest ideas is “prototyping.” Just trying stuff without being paralyzed by overplanning and never actually acting. It made me realize I’ve apparently been doing some life designing of my own.
Over the past few years, I’ve published a book, started a book blog, experimented with social media, and slowly attempted to become something resembling a book influencer.
None of this required me to quit my job, sell everything I own, and move to a cabin in Montana.
I just tried stuff.
That’s basically the idea behind prototyping. Instead of spending years making the perfect plan for something you may ultimately hate, try a smaller version first.
That’s useful advice at 20.
It might be even better advice at 51 and 3/4.
Designing Your Life is part of my 100 book reading goal for 2026 (Book #52)
Just so you know – I may earn an affiliate commission if you click a link from my site and purchase a product. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! Hopefully, I’ll rack up enough commission to treat myself to a coffee someday—nothing fancy, just a plain small coffee from a gas station on the edge of town. Thanks for supporting the blog!
Where to Get It
Available in multiple formats, depending on how you like to read (or listen).
- 🎧 Audiobook (Indie Option): Listen on Libro.
- 🎧 Audiobook (Amazon Option): Listen on Audible
- 📚 Support Local Bookstores: Buy from Bookshop.org
- 📦 Amazon (Paperback/Kindle): View on Amazon
Designing Your Life Summary
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans takes the principles of design thinking and applies them to a much bigger project: your life. Rather than assuming there is one perfect career or path you need to discover, the authors encourage you to explore different possibilities, pay attention to what gives you energy, and treat your choices as experiments instead of permanent commitments.
One of the book’s biggest ideas is prototyping. Before completely changing careers, moving across the country, or making some other giant life decision, try a smaller version first. Talk to someone already doing what interests you. Take a class. Start a side project. Volunteer. Test the idea in the real world and see what you learn.
The book also encourages readers to imagine several different versions of their future instead of obsessing over finding one “right” answer. The overall message is pretty freeing: you don’t have to map out the rest of your life in advance. You can try things, learn what works, adjust, and keep redesigning as you go.
More great personal growth books!
Who Are the Authors? Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
You probably already know. But just in case:
- 🎓 Stanford: Burnett and Evans are the co-founders of Stanford’s Life Design Lab, where they developed the Designing Your Life approach using design-thinking principles.
- 💻 Bill Burnett: Before teaching people how to design their lives, Burnett spent seven years at Apple designing award-winning laptops. He also worked in the toy industry designing Star Wars action figures.
- 🖱️ Dave Evans: Evans also worked at Apple, where he led product marketing for the mouse team. He later helped start Electronic Arts, serving as the young company’s first VP of Talent.
- 🧪 Origins: Their Stanford course essentially began as a prototype itself. They tested the idea with just eight students before eventually turning it into one of Stanford’s popular electives.
- 📚 Authors: Designing Your Life eventually became a #1 New York Times bestseller, sold more than one million copies, and was translated into 24 languages.
Now onto the rating! Designing Your Life Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 5/5
Sorry, but the whole “prototype your life” thing really worked on me.
Basically: stop spending all your time concocting the perfect plan for something before you even know if you’ll enjoy that thing. Try a small version first.
Want to write? Write something.
Want to make videos? Make one.
Want to become a book influencer? Good luck with that.
Not every prototype will work. Some will be dumb. Some will quietly disappear after three weeks.
But at least then you know.
And that idea alone was enough to make this a 5/5 for me.
Things I liked:
- Prototyping. Try something small before making a huge commitment.
- Multiple paths. There isn’t just one “right” life or career.
- It still works after 50. The ideas apply surprisingly well to midlife.
- It reframed my side hustle. Writing, blogging, and videos all feel like prototypes.
Things I didn’t like:
- Some parts skew young. A few sections feel aimed more at college students.
- Real life is messier. Mortgages, family, and responsibilities make some changes harder to prototype.
Conclusion: Designing Your Life Book Review
Designing Your Life may have started as a book for college students trying to figure out what comes next.
I’m 51. I already figured out what comes next: meetings, lawn care, and wondering why fast-food burritos suddenly cost $19.
But the book still worked on me.
At this point, I’m not looking to blow up my life and start over. I’m more interested in adding some new stuff to the version I already have. Write a book. Start a blog. Become a wildly successful book influencer with dozens of followers.
That’s why the idea of prototyping stuck with me. You don’t have to make some giant declaration about your new life direction. Just try something small and see what happens.
Maybe you love it. Maybe it turns into something bigger. Maybe you realize after three weeks that it was a terrible idea and quietly move on.
All three outcomes are useful.
Designing your life does not stop at 22.
At 50+, I’m finally old enough to know you don’t need a perfect plan.
You can just try stuff.
Where to Get It
Available in multiple formats, depending on how you like to read (or listen).
- 🎧 Audiobook (Indie Option): Listen on Libro.
- 🎧 Audiobook (Amazon Option): Listen on Audible
- 📚 Support Local Bookstores: Buy from Bookshop.org
- 📦 Amazon (Paperback/Kindle): View on Amazon
What are you prototyping? A new hobby? Side hustle? Career? Creative project? Some weird idea that may or may not go anywhere? Leave a comment.
