Design Thinking: The Young Adult's Secret Weapon for Life's Big Problems
The Design Thinking Mindset
Ambition Labs is a residential, professional accelerator for young adults, ages 18-28. I once found myself in a room filled with bright-eyed, bushy-tailed young adults, all eager to change the world, or at least their tiny corner of it. They were at one of those workshops where the speakers use phrases like "disruptive innovation" and "synergy" with all the zest of a motivational speaker on too much caffeine. But amidst all the corporate jargon, there was one concept that seemed to resonate with a genuine hum of excitement: design thinking.
Now, design thinking isn't just some fancy term you throw around to impress in interviews or pad your resume. It's like the Swiss Army knife of problem-solving—versatile, practical, and surprisingly useful in the most unexpected situations.
“It’s like the Swiss Army knife of problem-solving—versatile, practical, and surprisingly useful in the most unexpected situations.”
If you're a young adult, you're likely navigating life with the same enthusiasm as someone trying to solve a Rubik's Cube in the dark. You've got dreams, ambitions, and a few too many student loans, but not a lot of clear paths. Here's where design thinking comes into play. It's not just about creating the next big app or redesigning a chair (though, if you're into that, more power to you). It's about approaching life with a mindset that says, "Let's empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test our way out of this pickle."
First, empathy. Imagine you're trying to understand why your roommate never does the dishes. Instead of assuming laziness, you dive into their world. Maybe they're overwhelmed with exams, or perhaps they've never learned how to clean properly. Understanding their perspective is step one in design thinking, and it's the human touch that turns problems into puzzles with solutions.
Then comes defining the problem. This isn't just about stating the obvious; it's about digging deep. "Why won't my roommate do the dishes?" turns into "How might we ensure a clean living space that benefits everyone?" Suddenly, you're not just addressing dish duty but the dynamics of shared living.
Next, ideation. Here's where you let your brain go wild. It's like brainstorming, but without the fear of sounding ridiculous. Maybe you suggest a chore wheel, or perhaps a house rule where whoever cooks doesn't clean. The point is to think outside the dish soap bottle.
Prototyping is where you test these wild ideas in a less wild, more practical way. Maybe you try the chore wheel for a week, see how it goes. Does it lead to cleaner dishes or just more arguments over who gets to cook the lasagna?
Finally, testing. You gather feedback, adjust, and go again. Maybe the chore wheel needs a revision, or maybe you realize the real issue was communication, not the dishes.
For young adults, this mindset is invaluable. Life throws curveballs; design thinking gives you the bat to hit them back. Whether you're navigating career choices, personal relationships, or just trying to figure out adulthood, this approach teaches resilience, creativity, and, most importantly, it keeps you from turning into that person who blames everyone else for their problems.
At Ambition Labs, we're all about fostering this mindset. We believe that by embracing design thinking, you're not just preparing for a job; you're preparing for life. So, if you're ready to tackle your world with a bit more creativity and a lot less frustration, visit our blog and read up on how others have used design thinking to navigate their own maze of life, or contact us for a consultation. Let's turn those lemons into something far more interesting than lemonade.
Remember, the world needs more problem solvers who see beyond the surface, and you, my friend, could be one of them. Let's design our future, one thought at a time.
