How Can You Design a Life That Truly Resonates with Your Values?
Discover transformative insights and practical steps to create a meaningful, fulfilling life that aligns with your core values and passions. This online and free template serves as a guide for structuring your own reflections and plans.
Based on insights from “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, you’ll learn to assess where you are, clarify your direction, and make confident choices that lead to a joyful, purposeful life.
Let’s explore these steps starting from where you are and ending with actionable plans for a meaningful future. It’s time to design a life that works for you!
Designing Your Life! Free Template with Practical Steps
| Step | Description | Guiding Questions |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Take Stock | Assess your current satisfaction levels in key life areas: Health, Work, Play, Love. |
How satisfied am I with my health? Do I feel fulfilled in my work? Am I spending enough time on play? What area of my life needs the most attention right now? How strong are my relationships with loved ones? |
| 2. Identify Problems | Differentiate between gravity problems and wicked problems. |
Is this a problem I can realistically solve? Am I investing energy in something I cannot change? How can I reframe this problem into something actionable? What small step can I take to address this problem right now? Do I need to accept this situation and refocus my energy elsewhere? |
| 3. Create Compass | Define your values by aligning your Workview and Lifeview. |
What does work mean to me? What makes life meaningful and valuable in my view? Do my work values align with my life values? Am I living in a way that feels true to my values? What needs to change in my work or life to align with my core values? |
| 4. Clarify Direction | Track activities that energize you to find your path. |
What activities make me feel engaged and focused? When do I feel most energized and alive during my day? Are there activities that drain my energy? How often do I lose track of time while doing something I enjoy? What patterns or themes are emerging in my “Good Time Journal”? |
| 5. Explore Ideas | Use mind mapping to brainstorm related opportunities. |
What are the three activities that bring me the most joy and energy? What related activities could I explore from these key interests? Are there career options or hobbies I’ve never considered? Which of these new ideas feels most exciting to explore further? How can I try out one of these new ideas in a low-risk way? |
| 6. Design Futures | Create multiple life plans exploring different paths. |
If I had no constraints, what would I want my life to look like in five years? What would happen if I made a bold, unconventional choice? What skills or resources do I need to create each alternative future? Which of these plans excites me the most? Which feels the most practical? |
| 7. Prototype Future | Test ideas by engaging in low-commitment experiences. |
Who can I talk to who has experience in the path I want to explore? What small experiment can I try to get a taste of this new idea? How did I feel after testing this idea—more excited or less certain? What did I learn from this prototype experience that I didn’t expect? How can I adjust my approach based on what I’ve learned so far? |
| 8. Learn from Failures | Reflect on mistakes and extract growth insights. |
What were the key failures or mistakes I encountered? How can I categorize these failures—were they minor missteps or significant obstacles? What lessons can I extract from each failure? How can I apply these insights to improve my next steps? Am I viewing failure as a natural part of growth and learning? |
| 9. Make a Decision | Choose a path based on gathered insights and take action. |
What have I learned from testing different options? Which path feels the most aligned with my values and energy? What’s the first, actionable step I can take in this direction? Am I willing to take imperfect action and adjust as I go? What would success look like in this new direction? |
| Bonus Step 1 | Apply the 80/20 Rule to focus on high-impact activities. |
What are the 20% of activities that bring me 80% of my joy? How can I allocate more time and resources to these high-impact activities? Are there low-value activities I can minimize or eliminate? What changes can I make today to prioritize these activities? How can I stay accountable to focusing on these key areas? |
| Bonus Step 2 | Set SMART goals for each life area for clear direction. |
What specific goals do I want to achieve in the next year? How will I measure my progress on these goals? Are my goals realistic and achievable within my current circumstances? How can I break down my goals into smaller, manageable steps? Who can support me in achieving these goals? |
| Bonus Step 3 | Commit to self-accountability or find an accountability partner. |
Who can I talk to for guidance and support on my journey? What systems can I put in place to track my progress? How will I celebrate my successes along the way? Am I willing to share my goals with others to stay accountable? What motivates me to stay on track with my goals? |
By following these steps, you can design a life that resonates with your true self. This free template not only provides essential tools for reflection but also helps you create a meaningful and balanced life.
Embrace the journey ahead, knowing that it is your life to design.
