Building a Well-Lived Life

Every year I review a handful of concepts, books, articles, and talks as part of my yearly goal-setting and planning practice. These pieces, and this practice, serve as periodic checkpoints to ensure I don’t stray far from the path I’ve set for myself on the way to being the best person I can be. In some cases, they’re great reminders for living a better and happier life. In other cases, cues for the causes and principles I want to always have front and center in my mind.

Revisiting these concepts on a regular basis is my way of systematizing the inherently disorganized process of adopting and integrating concepts, techniques, processes, and values into my day to day life.

Over the next few weeks, I’d like to share some of those articles and talks here.

If these pieces resonate with you, I encourage you to bookmark them under a folder on your web browser titled “annual/quarterly reads.” Add to the list as you see fit to. Set calendar reminders quarterly, biannually, or annually to take a look.

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The third of my annual reads is “Designing Your Life” by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans. Written by two Stanford professors, this book describes how design thinking can help us create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling, regardless of who or where we are, what we do or have done for a living, or how young or old we are.

For all we know, we only get one shot at this life. Most folks go through life at the whim of their circumstances; letting the current determine their destiny. I’ve tried to make a point of actively steering my ship in the direction I think will be most fulfilling.

This book provides the framework for thinking through that process and ultimately living your best possible life every day.