I still remember seeing the front cover of Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans in a bookstore in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, back in 2016. As a 26-year-old corporate executive from Malaysia constantly pondering life choices, I immediately bought the book. I was captivated by its unique approach to using design thinking—often applied to business problems—to build a fulfilling and meaningful life.
One of the most impactful exercises in the book was the Odyssey Plan, where we created three alternative futures. This exercise helped me pivot from a non-profit role to a government position before furthering my studies in the UK. So, when I came across the Designing Your Life (DYL) Digital Journey earlier this year, I eagerly seized the opportunity, despite having to stay up from 2:00 am to 5:30 am on four Saturdays throughout the month!
By the time I enrolled in the workshop, I was at a crossroads in my career: should I stay in my think tank role or pivot to being a career coach? Oddly enough, I had forgotten much about the DYL methodology, probably due to the pandemic years being a big blur.
Joan Cheverie, Michael Cato, and Catherine Dalipe from Fieldbrook Advising facilitated the workshop with authenticity, curiosity, and empathy. It was a safe space for two dozen of us from across the world to share our boldest dreams and deepest fears. Initially, I felt apprehensive about being one of the few participants from Asia (having to wake up at an ungodly hour!), as the group was predominantly from North America and Europe. But within the first few hours of the first session, I was comforted by the fact that we were there to design the lives we wanted. After all, design thinking isn’t an American construct—it’s universal!
Three aspects stood out to me during the workshop:
First, the concept of dysfunctional beliefs—or mental blocks, as I prefer to call them—reminded me why I was stuck in my life. I was fixated on the belief that all I needed was that one perfect plan, and once I executed it, I’d be happy. One of the participants paraphrased the Greek poet Heraclitus: “You never step into the same river twice.” It was profound to hear this; if our emotions can change constantly within minutes, what more of our passions and interests? Our lives are fluid, and they will constantly change. In the era of ChatGPT, we yearn for immediate answers, but the reality is these are difficult questions, and we need to take them head-on.
Second, I truly enjoyed and benefited from the feedback from the small groups. Once I shared my Odyssey Plan, I received several insightful comments and thought-provoking feedback. I’m happy to say that I’ve taken on many of the suggestions, which have helped me further along my journey of pivoting into being a career strategist.
Third, the reflections from the other participants enriched the experience. Many of them had enlightening moments, especially during the design prototype sessions. While some insights may not have been directly relevant to me, I learned a lot from folks from different countries and industries. For example, one participant from the UK wanted to find a finance job in the Middle East. In our small breakout group, someone from the region gave honest feedback, and I suggested she consider Singapore, a global financial hub. It was these a-ha moments that made the workshop meaningful.
I’m glad I took this workshop despite the late hours. Just as I was excited as the 26-year-old reading the DYL book, the 34-year-old me is even more excited to design the life I want. Participating in the Designing Your Life Digital Journey was an invaluable experience that has reinvigorated my approach to life and career choices. In a world where AI can provide immediate answers, the DYL methodology reminded me that some questions require introspection, patience, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
Zaim Mohzani has been on a soul-searching journey since graduating from university. Over the past 11 years, he has explored the public sector, tech startups, public policy, and now, career coaching. Zaim lives in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with his wife and two sons. A graduate of universities in Australia and the United Kingdom, he is deeply passionate about social impact, community building, and Southeast Asia.
