Life design
Shaping a Purposeful and Authentic Path
Think of it like the 90s, dialing through morning radio, tuning out the fuzz until you hit that perfect station. Life Design is all about those daily choices that truly reflect who you are and what you want. It’s about finding those moments that make life yours.
The concept was introduced by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans at Stanford University and elaborated upon in their book ‘Designing Your Life‘. They also offer a course on CreativeLive, where they guide participants through the Life Design process.
Life Design incorporates design thinking methods and journaling to address significant questions and make important decisions regarding various aspects of one’s life, including education, career, and overall purpose.
Their principle that “everyone is a maker” reminds us that each of us contributes uniquely to the world through creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. Here, “payment” isn’t just financial; it’s about the value of impact, joy, and authenticity. This approach reframes success as the meaningful change we bring to others, measuring fulfillment by the heart rather than the wallet.
In this video, they discuss the "three versions of your life" exercise. It involves imagining three paths over the next five years: one that follows your current path, another with a major shift, and a third that's bold and imaginative. This exercise promotes reflection and creativity, helping you explore different futures and clarify goals that align with your values.
The Life Design journey starts with clarity—understanding your current “location” and destination, much like using Google Maps. From there, you explore four foundational areas: health, work, play, and love. Health encompasses physical and emotional well-being; work includes paid and volunteer efforts; play means enjoyment for its own sake; and love focuses on personal connections.
It’s a process, and it takes time. Discovering your strengths, your passions, and quieting the world’s noise to hear your own rhythm are all part of designing a well-lived life.
Passion is the result of a well-designed life, not the cause.
Beijos,
Babi
https://barbaracraveiro.substack.com/p/life-design
Architects
The complexity, simplicity and beauty of their work
The architect acts as a mediator between technical requirements, human needs, and cultural context. Every architectural decision is an act problem-solving that shapes the physical world and the human experiences within it.
Iconic structures demonstrate how architectural decisions reflect broader cultural, functional, and aesthetic considerations. They are cultural statements. Decisions about form, materials, and spatial arrangement reflect societal values, aspirations, and the intended identity of a place. Architects design spaces that guide people's behaviors, perceptions, and interactions.
- Plaza Athénée - Paris. Their Cour Jardin combines the grandeur of traditional Parisian architecture with modern luxury. The design pays homage to classic French garden design principles, characterised by symmetry, order, and a sense of refined beauty.
- Marina Bay Sands - Singapore, designed by Moshe Safdie, it’s one of the most complex architectural structures in the world. Marina Bay is Safdie's attempt to humanise a mega-scale project and weave it into the existing urban fabric.
- Heydar Aliyev Centre - Baku, Azerbaijan, is an architectural masterpiece designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Completed in 2012, the building is famous for its fluid, wave-like structure that defies traditional architectural conventions.
- Bunkers - Billionaires are increasingly building extravagant doomsday bunkers, driven by a mix of fear, luxury, and a desire to maintain control in uncertain times. These bunkers are not just simple underground shelters but are highly sophisticated structures featuring luxurious amenities like swimming pools, movie theaters, gyms, and even defensive measures such as moats and water cannons.
Matthew Frederick in 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School outlines how architects operate at different levels of knowing—Simplicity, Complexity, and Informed Simplicity. This progression reflects the architect's journey through decision-making, moving from initial, often simple ideas to more complex analyses and finally to refined. It’s about finding order in complexity.
Bravo to architects!
They combine knowledge from engineering, aesthetics, human behavior, and environmental impact to make well-rounded decisions, leaving a lasting mark on the world. Every structure, whether a humble home or a grand monument, tells a story of the society that built it, reflecting values, aspirations, and the challenges of its time.
Through thoughtful design, architects shape not only our built environment but also the ways we live, work, and interact within these spaces.
"A doctor can bury his mistakes but an architect can only advise his clients to plant vines."
-Frank Lloyd Wright
Beijos,
Babi
https://barbaracraveiro.substack.com/p/architects
Chief Detail Officer
Doing a lot with little - making it weird and fun.
A friend from the venture capital world recommended me a book from Rory Sutherland, a prominent figure at Ogilvy - Alchemy: The Magic of Original Thinking in a World of Mind-Numbing Conformity Curious about the author, I dug deeper into his ideas, and one of his key arguments stood out to me: organisations often underestimate the value of small, seemingly minor changes. Sutherland highlights a common bias in companies where big problems are assumed to need large, costly solutions, typically devised by top executives. However, he argues that small, creative tweaks can often lead to surprisingly significant results.
This brings us to the idea of the Chief Detail Officer —a role dedicated to identifying those small, low-cost opportunities that have tremendous impact, and ensuring they are executed correctly and consistently.
Some examples:
- American Airlines determined that eliminating one olive from each passenger’s salad plate would reduce costs by $40,000.
- MailChimp ran a playful advertising campaign where they intentionally mispronounced their own name. The campaign was quirky and memorable. It helped MailChimp establish itself as a fun and creative company, attracting small businesses and creative professionals who appreciated the lightheartedness. Watch here.
- Dollar Shave Club: In 2012, Dollar Shave Club launched with a hilarious, low-budget video titled "Our Blades Are F* Great." The video featured the company’s CEO delivering deadpan humor about the absurdity of overpriced razors. The video went viral almost immediately. It was acquired and then sold by Unilever.
- Wendy’s social media team, especially on Twitter, became famous for its witty, savage roasts of both customers and competitors. They would humorously respond to customer complaints and engage in playful banter with other fast-food chains.
- Southwest Airlines is known for its flight attendants who deliver safety announcements with a humorous twist. This approach has contributed to Southwest's reputation as a fun, customer-friendly airline, helping to drive customer loyalty and differentiate it from other carriers.
- Skittles' long-running "Taste the Rainbow" campaign is filled with bizarre, humorous ads that often make little sense but are highly entertaining. The campaign became iconic, helping to solidify Skittles as a fun, playful brand, and driving increased sales and brand loyalty.
- Cards Against Humanity, a party game company, is known for its absurd and humorous Black Friday stunts. These ridiculous and humorous campaigns generated significant media coverage and public attention. One of the most infamous pranks happened in 2016 when the company ran a campaign called the "Holiday Hole." They simply asked people to donate money to fund digging a giant, pointless hole in the ground with no purpose other than to keep digging as long as the donations kept coming in.
Well, a little weirdness can go a long way. Who knows? Maybe I’ll channel my inner Chief Detail Officer and start making small, absurd changes in my own life—while having a good laugh about it.
“In a mad world, only the mad are sane.”
Akira Kurosawa
“Find out who you are and do it for purpose”
Dolly Parton
Beijos,
Babi
The feelings of creating a new business
Starting can be overwhelming with so many ideas swirling in your mind, waiting to be transformed into reality.
Unlike typical entrepreneurship resources, I want to delve into the emotional aspect of the journey.
Initially, self-doubt creeps in. We question if anyone would be interested in what we want to create. Fear holds us back from pursuing our dreams, and we consider giving up.
The urge to quit may last a few minutes, hours, or even days. Eventually, your idea resurfaces, and you can approach it with a clearer perspective, refining your plans.
It's a constant swing between impostor syndrome and overconfidence.
Writing things down is crucial. When you document your plans:
- You see the messiness and identify areas for improvement. This stage may take months.
- You gain the confidence to move forward!
With a clear goal and newfound confidence, you believe in your ability to succeed. The next step is to break down the goal into actionable steps. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. We often procrastinate on tasks that we’re uncertain about or lack the necessary resources (money, skills, time) to tackle.
Do what you can, and your confidence will grow through the process, even if it deviates from what you initially envisioned. Life doesn’t always follow a linear path, so why should a business plan?
It’s time to seek honest feedback from trusted friends. It’s a vulnerable moment. Prepare a set of questions, with the most crucial one being, “Would you use/consume this product?” Brace yourself, as you may need to make both minor and major adjustments.
This feedback loop should continue indefinitely. Select the most constructive feedback and carry it with you—it becomes part of your brand. Engaging with clients not only benefits the founders but also allows them to be a part of an exciting journey.
Don’t forget to take breaks and engage in activities that bring you joy. Hobbies, quality time with family and friends—these moments are well-deserved rewards for your hard work.
Discover few resources that rejuvenate your energy—whether it's a supportive LinkedIn community, inspiring articles, podcasts, or books. Avoid overwhelming yourself; too much information can be distracting and stressful. These resources should serve as a gentle push or a source of renewed energy without drowning you.
Self-knowledge is crucial because there will be times when inspiration and motivation wane. Understanding yourself helps you identify the root causes behind these moments. It’s important to develop coping mechanisms to overcome such hurdles.
Don’t forget to have fun. We should fall in love with the process, not just the end goal.
“The universe will reward you for taking risks on its behalf.”- Shakti Gawain.
“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald.
Beijos,
Babi
The Power of Silence
Silence is a multifaceted concept that holds various meanings and implications depending on the context and individual experiences.
Firstly, silence can be therapeutic and healing. In moments of quietness, we can find solace and peace, allowing our minds to rest and rejuvenate. It offers a break, providing an opportunity for self-reflection.
On the other hand, silence can also be unsettling and uncomfortable. In some situations, silence may signify tension or indifference. It can evoke feelings of loneliness or isolation, especially when experienced for prolonged periods.
Sometimes, silence speaks volumes, communicating emotions, intentions, or agreement without the need for words. It can serve as a form of nonverbal communication, expressing empathy, understanding, or disagreement.
Additionally, silence can have cultural and social connotations. In certain cultures, silence may be valued as a sign of respect or wisdom, while in others, it may be interpreted as a lack of engagement or indifference.
In summary, silence plays a crucial role in shaping our interactions and perceptions of the world around us. It can heal. It can hurt. It can send messages or not. It’s scary. It’s comforting.
This article from FT discusses how the former queen of England’s popularity was influenced by the power of her silence.
Journalist Simon Heffer attributed the former Queen of England’s popularity as a monarch, in large part, to her silence. She made few public pronouncements, and her political views remained almost private.
Any speech writer, any actor and any CEO who has done media training, will know the importance of the pause in one-way communication. It signals confidence and command in a speaker. It is analogous, in some ways, to the way white space is used in ordinary type and in graphic design: it lets language breathe.
To Margaret Thatcher’s husband, Denis, is attributed one of the great bons mots on this subject: “Better keep your mouth shut and be thought a fool than open it and remove all doubt.”
I read about the book The Sphere of Silence from Vijay Eswaran – a successful Malaysian entrepreneur. He offers a guide on spending an hour daily in silence, drawing from his childhood experiences with his grandfather.
When I was a child, my grandfather lived with me and my family. Every morning he would wake up at the crack of dawn and sit in complete silence for an hour. Even as the rest of the household stirred awake and the various morning rituals unfolded around him, he stayed still and quiet. Nothing could detract him during that time. He believed that abstaining from speaking for a set period each day brought him inner peace and made him a better listener.
Every day, I make a big effort to spend an hour just watching and listening to what’s happening around me after I wake up. The funniest part is when I have to mimic to communicate.
Babi
Dear don’ts of the ordinary world
You tell me:
- Don’t dance in the tube
- Don’t talk with strangers
- Don’t smile at strangers
- Don’t use funny clothes
- Don’t take too many days off
- Don’t proclaim the world as wild and free
- Don’t say things are not ok
- Don’t paint on walls
- Don’t laugh too much
- Don’t cry too much
- Don’t forget your past
- Don’t wait too much
- Don’t rush into things
- Don’t believe people
- Don’t dance like no one is watching
- Don’t be an open book
- Don’t scream
- Don’t lose your temper
- Don’t lose sight of who you are
- Don’t eat ice cream
- Don’t be a dreamer
- Don’t lose yourself
- Don’t fight for this
- Don’t quit
- Don’t procrastinate
- Don’t be silly
- Don’t be afraid
You’ve advised me with a list of “don’ts,” but you also say not to be afraid. How can I navigate through these restrictions without feeling overwhelmed or fearful? Remember, patience is crucial; don’t push your don’ts too hard over me. Fear might hinder my ability to approach my goals.
This article from HBR about the decision of playing it safe is the riskiest strategic choice, says.
If we’re going to close the gap between the mostly incremental trajectory so many of us find ourselves on and avoid falling into the trap of the timid transformation, we must fundamentally rethink our relationship to risk. We must come to see, to quantify more fully, and to acknowledge the potentially enormous cost of our inaction. We must understand the roots of the fear that keeps us stuck. We must embrace the beauty of imperfection and accept, as Seth Godin reminds us, “that if failure is not an option, then neither is success.”
When we accept that safe is often the riskiest strategy of all, we see that in the face of accelerating disruption often the only choice that has any chance of success is to aim far higher in the value we deliver to customers, to move much faster, and to act boldly.”
If the world has changed so much, why have you changed so little?” Their answers are often complicated, but much of it has to do with a reluctance to confront our fears and fully appreciate the growing risks from our unwillingness to take bold action.
Dear trickster in me…
A hacker on my own system.
A mirror to my soul’s complexity.
With cunning smile and eyes aglow, you dance freely, a relentless flow.
Are you a she or a he? Good or bad?
I admire your cleverness, wit, and ability to think outside the box. For me, it is a symbol of creativity, adaptability, and resourcefulness.
Your laughter echoes a playful melody. You bend the rules, defy the norm. A rebel spirit, wild and warm.
Through twists and turns, you find your way. Crafting chaos into a grand display. But beneath the joke, a wisdom gleams. In secret dreams, you unravel mysteries.
You understand the truth behind the jokes. Sometimes, silliness unveils what’s best. So, I allow you to to wander in your playful steps.
The trickster in me is both wild and free.
You add humor and levity to my story, a comic relief. You make me reconsider my goals and motivations in twisted way.
You bring me disruption and change in homeopathic doses.
I don’t know what are your true intentions. But without you, I couldn’t hack my own system. Thank you!
Babi
Dear door 3827,
What shall I do?
Enter your realm or say adieu?
Should I knock or just retreat?
As you creak open, doubts repeat.
Are you beckoning, am I unprepared?
Is this path meant for me, or should I be scared?
You reveal a glimpse of whats in store,
But uncertainty leaves me unsure.
Should I bring you flowers? Do you have tropical weather? Or heavy winter?
We dance a duet, you and I,
but what melody plays in your side?
Heavy metal or Bossa Nova?
Or perhaps silence in that space?
Beautiful door, silent and still.
I will return tomorrow, if time will.
As I return, you widen, but upside down.
A puzzling sight, leaving me frown.
What message hides in this curious scene?
If I make it it to tomorrow, maybe clarity will come my way.
Babi
xxx
In regards to decision making, this article from FT talks about the The Chimp Model, a psychological framework developed by psychiatrist Dr. Steve Peters.
It’s a simplified way of understanding the brain’s structure and how it influences behavior and decision-making.
According to the Chimp Model, the brain can be divided into three main parts:
- The Human Brain: This part represents the rational, logical, and analytical aspects of our thinking. It’s responsible for making decisions based on facts and evidence.
- The Chimp Brain: The “Chimp” represents the emotional and instinctive part of our brain. It operates on feelings, emotions, and impulses. The Chimp is quick to react and can often override the Human Brain’s rationality.
- The Computer Brain: This part of the brain stores beliefs, values, and automatic behaviors. It’s like a database that influences how we interpret and respond to situations.
The Chimp Model suggests that conflicts and irrational behaviors often arise when the Chimp Brain and the Human Brain are in conflict. Learning to manage the Chimp by understanding its triggers and employing techniques like mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy can lead to better decision-making and emotional regulation.
Overall, the Chimp Model provides a simple yet powerful framework for understanding and managing the complex interplay between emotions, instincts, and rational thinking in our daily lives.
Dear Responsibility,
I need a break.
You’ve been my guide through various avenues: life’s lessons, mentors, books, philosophers…
Remembering my learning journey, some sentences come to mind:
“The system is responsible in proportion to the degree that the people who make the decisions bear the consequences” – Charlie Frankel.
“Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount” – Clare Boothe.
“If your ship doesn’t come, swim out to meet it” – Jonathan Winters
I deeply appreciate all the lessons you’ve provided. I’ve been, and continue to be, a highly committed student.
But lately, I’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility that I’ve been carrying. While I understand the importance of fulfilling my duties and obligations, I’ve reached a point where I feel the need to take a break from you.
It’s not easy for me to ask you for this break. I have thought long and hard about it, and I believe that taking a temporary break will allow me to recharge, regain perspective, and come back with renewed energy and commitment.
During this break, I am fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition and minimizing any disruption that my absence may cause.
I believe this break will benefit not only myself but also the quality of relationship with loved ones in the long run.
Babi
xxxx
A question that I started asking myself lately. Am I too responsible?
This article from HBR talks about over-responsibility.
Over-responsibility can be a hard habit to break. Helping others makes us feel good: We feel competent, reduce our stress, and avoid conflict. This habit also gets reinforced by those around you, who learn to depend on you. But don’t wait until you feel burned out and resentful.
The author, Dina Denham Smith, an executive coach to senior leaders at world-leading brands such as Adobe, Netflix, PwC, Dropbox, Stripe, suggests the following strategies to find a more appropriate balance of responsibility:
- Examine your assumptions
- Give responsibilities back
- Define what you’re truly responsible for
- Accept help, Empathise — without taking on others’ distress
- Be-self compassionate
Dear Ping Pong Ball,
Here I am, holding you in my hands, ready for a day of play. I’ve practiced a lot, putting all my strong and bad feelings into my strategy. I thought my rage would make me focused and unbeatable.
But as the game begins, things don’t go as planned. I lose control. I’m falling apart in front of you, can’t you see?
As the game progresses, my rage fades away, and you become as light as a feather. I let go of my detailed plans and start playing from the heart, although I’m not sure what strategy that is exactly.
The match becomes lighter and more intriguing for me. You see, my usual practice partner is a wall, but now I’m facing another heart across the table, with different strategies, moves, and feelings. The result of this match feels like a combination of variables in a complex equation.
In a moment of clarity, I whisper to my opponent, “Thank you for playing with me and making me think again. I hope we both win.”
Babi
xxx
Adaptability, emotional intelligence, agile strategy, and collaboration are crucial for swiftly altering the course of a strategy.
The capacity to modify one’s strategy and mindset in reaction to shifting circumstances is fundamental to successful personal growth, leadership and performance.
Managing emotions, staying focused under pressure are essential skills applicable in personal, sports, and business contexts alike.
Just like in a game of ping pong, business and personal strategies frequently require real-time evolution and adaptation.
Acknowledging the role of stakeholders in shaping experiences indicates flexibility through simple signs of communication.
This article from Fast Company talks about how emotional communication usually works.
The 55-38-7 rule by psychologist Albert Mehrabian states that in emotional communication, 55% is expressed through body language, 38% through tone, and just 7% through words. This highlights the importance of aligning nonverbal cues with verbal communication for clarity and impact and applies specifically to situations where emotions or attitudes are communicated.