Back in my career coaching days, I was slightly obsessed with a certain book. I owned multiple copies, which I would readily loan, while referring to the work in numerous presentations over the years. So, it was especially exciting to learn that Dave Evans—one of the co-authors of this book, the international best-seller Designing Your Life—is a Santa Cruz local.
The book, based on the popular Stanford University course, has helped countless individuals navigate their personal and professional journeys using principles of design thinking. It’s an approach rooted in curiosity, creativity and iterative problem-solving—tools he and co-author Bill Burnett refined through years of teaching at Stanford and beyond.
For me, Evans’ work holds a deeply personal resonance. Years ago, I attended the Odyssey Planning workshop at 1440 Multiversity in Scotts Valley. Armed with a signed copy of his book, I dove into the exercises with enthusiasm. As life went on, however, I forgot about the worksheet I’d completed—until recently, when I stumbled upon it in an old notebook.
One of my “alternative plans” leaped off the page: Write a book. Become a yoga teacher. Collaborate with health and wellness companies. At the time, I was exploring other paths; looking back, it’s clear how the seeds planted that day have blossomed into my current reality. It’s a reminder of the quiet power of setting intentions, even if we’re not actively tracking them.
When I caught up with Evans for this interview, I asked him about what inspired the creation of Designing Your Life. His response was deeply human.
“Like most people, it started with walking out my own pain,” he shared. “In my twenties, I didn’t have great guidance from the adults around me. That struggle planted the seed. Years later, I was invited to teach a class at Berkeley called ‘Finding Your Vocation.’ What started as a favor for a friend turned into 14 semesters of teaching.”
By the time Evans and Burnett began collaborating at Stanford, the groundwork was in place. Burnett’s background in design paired seamlessly with Evans’ insights into personal development. Together, they created a course that would evolve into a global phenomenon.
Since the book’s release, the framework has only deepened. “We realized people are often stuck because they haven’t articulated their core values or examined their lives honestly,” Evans explains. “When they finally map out their time and energy, they’re often surprised by what they discover—like how much time they spend scrolling on social media.”
For those unfamiliar, Designing Your Life invites readers to approach their futures with curiosity and experimentation. The Good Time Journal, a foundational exercise, encourages tracking daily activities to identify what energizes or drains you. It’s a process of aligning your actions with your values—a small but profound step toward intentional living.
IDEO founder David Kelley calls it the “go-to book that is read as a rite of passage whenever someone is ready to create a life they love.”
Of course, like any transformative process, the journey isn’t without its challenges. “The biggest hurdle we see is people who think they know what they want but are afraid to start because they’re beginners,” Evans says. “We call it the ‘gravity problem.’ It’s about accepting what you can’t change and moving forward anyway. That acceptance can feel constraining, but it actually frees you to focus on what’s possible.”
Evans emphasized the importance of combining big dreams with realistic steps. “We regret putting the word ‘plan’ after ‘Odyssey’ in the book,” he admitted with a laugh. “It’s less about rigid plans and more about animating your curiosity. What’s the next small thing you can do to explore an idea? That’s where growth happens.”
For anyone feeling stuck, Evans offers simple advice: Start where you are. “Ask yourself, ‘What’s draining or supporting me?’ Most people don’t have an objective view of their own lives. The Good Time Journal can be an eye-opener.”
Beyond the book, Evans and Burnett continue to innovate. Their second book, Designing Your Work Life, expands on strategies for thriving in your current job or making small changes to improve your day-to-day. And in a tantalizing teaser, Evans hinted at a future project exploring how pain can inform meaningful design. “We’re calling it Designing by Pain. It’s about using life’s hardships as a creative force.”
Evans’ work resonates deeply in Santa Cruz, a community known for its openness to personal growth. Whether you’re navigating career changes, exploring creative pursuits or simply seeking more joy, Designing Your Life offers a framework to reimagine what’s possible.
As I reflect on my own Odyssey worksheet, I’m struck by the synchronicity of it all. My goals felt like distant dreams years ago. But by taking small, curious steps, I’ve found myself living them.
So if you’re wondering what’s next, try picking up (and hanging onto!) a copy of Designing Your Life—and let curiosity guide the way.
Learn more at prhspeakers.com/speaker/dave-evans.
Elizabeth Borelli is the author of the new book Tastes Like La Dolce Vita. To learn more about her, visit ElizabethBorelli.com.