Dr. Michael R. MacDonald
I am looking forward to reading Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World by Anne-Laure Le Cunff. It will be out soon and I can’t wait.
I have been reading Anne-Laure’s newsletter for the past year and liking her science-based ideas.
Anne-Laure is the co-founder of Ness Labs, which she describes as a playground for curiosity – a place where you can learn how to experiment with ideas, explore creative projects, make better decisions, and reflect on your progress. She also calls her company a laboratory for your mind.
Tiny Experiments
This is her new book, coming out soon.
The title and sub-title drew me in and I wanted to know more. The sub-title, How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World fits with my own scattered and tangential way of thinking and working. I can’t help jumping around to several projects at once.
In the description of her book, she advocates, replacing “the old linear model of success with a circular model of growth in which goals are discovered, pursued, and adapted—not in a vacuum, but in conversation with the larger world.”
“Life isn’t linear,” she says, “and yet we constantly try to mould it around linear goals: four-year college degrees, ten-year career plans, thirty-year mortgages. What if instead, we approached life as a giant playground for experimentation?”
Design Thinking
This approach reminds me a lot of a design thinking approach to creating and problem-solving.
Stanford’s d.school defines design thinking as a non-linear, iterative process used to tackle complex problems and create innovative solutions. The process consists of five key phases:
The Five Stages of Stanford’s Design Thinking Process
- Empathize: Understand users’ needs through research and observation
- Define: Synthesize insights to articulate the core problem
- Ideate: Generate a wide range of creative solutions
- Prototype: Create tangible representations of ideas
- Test: Gather user feedback on prototypes
Key Principles
- Human-Centered Approach: Focus on user needs and experiences
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage diverse perspectives
- Bias Towards Action: Emphasize rapid prototyping and experimentation
- Iterative Process: Continuously refine ideas based on feedback
Stanford’s d.school emphasizes that these stages are not always sequential and may be repeated or run in parallel as needed
The goal is to create innovators rather than specific innovations, fostering a mindset that combines creative and analytical approaches to problem-solving.
Some of the central attributes that resonate with me are the emphasis on optimism, action and the focus on the user’s needs.
Design Matters
This is an approach advocated by Debbie Millman, professor, chair and co-founder with Steven Heller of the Masters in Branding Program at the School of Visual Arts in New York City,
You may know Debbie Millman from her podcast Design Matters—the world’s longest-running podcast on design—or from her seven books.
Named “one of the most creative people in business” by Fast Company, “Debbie is a fierce figure in the world of design”.
Design for Your Life
Design thinking has moved way beyond ways to design cars, athletic footwear, industrial products or kitchen wares. Now you can apply this way of thinking to help create the kind of life you want to lead. Le Cunff and Millman highlight this approach in their exciting works.
There is a lot here to get your brain cooking. Anne-Laure believes that success and life don’t always have to be in a straight line. Enjoy experimenting – I always do.
Until next time, let our warm hearts soar!
Michael
michael@aWarmHeart.ca
And thank you for caring that little bit extra – it really makes a big difference.
