The design (of you) is never done — achieving human greatness over time

15 self-design strategies to create something you’re proud of.

Luke Wroblewski, a technical product leader, and renowned for his forward-thinking ideas in design, once coined an expression: “Design is never done”. The thought behind these four words is rich and transformative. His wisdom carries with it powerful meaning that changes how we see the world and design for it. His phrase shapes an understanding of how design evolves to meet ever-changing human needs.

And today, I’d like to propose the next evolution of this thinking, where this same principle applies to our most personal and intimate project:

The design of ourselves.

The design of you is never done. Why should this matter to you? Simply put, it is through the continuous design of ourselves that we mold our individual futures, build genuine lasting relationships, grow our careers, and shape a deliberate path toward personal greatness.

We are, at our biological core, creators. We bring life into this world, mold clay into pots, erect buildings from raw materials, and spin narratives into novels. We shape the world around us in response to our evolving needs and challenges. However, sometimes, we overlook the one project that truly belongs in our hands: ourselves

The design of ourselves is not a static process, finished and done in one sitting. That’s not how it works. Instead, it is a dynamic, involved lifetime endeavor. As we journey through life, we face new challenges, adapt to changing circumstances, and grow as individuals. Each day, we are presented with a fresh canvas, an opportunity to redesign, reimagine, and redefine who we are.

And over time, we can achieve greatness as we go.

This conscious self-design holds immense power over our lives. It influences our well-being, our relationships, joy & sadness, our work, and our sense of fulfillment. With every decision we make, every dream we chase, and every challenge we conquer, we are continuously designing ourselves. In doing so, we develop the resilience needed to navigate life’s sometimes unkind complexities.

Designing yourself is a process that demands intentionality. It requires you to nurture your growth, cultivate your values, be your own best caretaker, and set the terms around your own definition of success. Like all worthy endeavors, it calls for time, commitment, and bravery to revise and refine your design whenever necessary.

The task to design ourselves is not about aiming for a distant, unattainable perfection. Rather, it’s about engaging with the present, using each day as an opportunity to design a better version of ourselves. It’s this process that paves the way to our personal greatness.

“But I don’t care about designing myself.”

That’s okay. But hopefully, I can inspire you to care, even just a little.

So what happens when we neglect this important process? What are the pitfalls of letting life “just happen” to us, instead of consciously shaping our experiences and ourselves?

Philosophically, self-design is a reaffirmation of your agency and individuality. When you disregard your role as the architect of your own life, you risk living passively, subjected to the whims of external forces. You become driftwood in the river of life, carried aimlessly by the current, rather than a navigator charting your own path. This passive existence can lead to a life that lacks purpose, direction, and fulfillment.

From a psychological standpoint, the consequences are equally stark. A lack of self-design can result in cognitive dissonance — a state of mental discomfort that arises from conflicting beliefs, values, or actions. When our lives don’t align with our true selves, we can experience a range of negative emotions such as dissatisfaction, restlessness, and in some cases (which I know from personal experience)… depression.

Ignoring our own self-design can lead to a harmful detachment from our authentic selves. It’s all too easy to fall into societal molds or conform to expectations that do not serve our true needs or aspirations. This can rob us of our unique identities and impede our personal growth and happiness.

Human behavior also attests to the dangers of neglecting self-design. We are wired to seek meaning and purpose, and the act of self-design provides a pathway to these fundamental human needs. Without this, we risk falling into a state of ennui, boredom, or apathy, leading to stunted personal development and a lack of motivation or enthusiasm for life.

Neglecting the design of ourselves can result in a life that feels unfulfilled, unauthentic, and devoid of purpose. It’s a state of being that lacks the vibrancy, joy, and depth that comes with a life consciously and lovingly designed.

But hey, I’m not here to dwell on the negatives — I promise there’s good to come from this!

With a clear understanding of the potential pitfalls of neglecting self-design, I hope I’ve underscored the importance of our personal design process. It serves as a gentle reminder and a call to action. It motivates us to embrace our role as designers of our lives and propels us toward our pursuit of personal greatness.

To begin your self-design process, you need practical strategies and insights to help guide your design journey. Let’s head there next and see what it takes to achieve personal greatness over time.

Achieving personal greatness over time — 15 strategies for life

Often, the most transformative advice is that which pushes us out of our comfort zones. You know, the stuff that makes us uncomfortable even though we know if we did it, we’d grow. The key is to act. One step. One foot forward. One small change. That’s how you achieve personal greatness over time and design something you’re proud to show off to the world.

Here are 15 non-traditional, impactful strategies that I believe work.

1. Embrace your weirdness

Your quirks and peculiarities make you who you are. Embrace your oddities and differences — they set you apart and are the essence of your unique design.

2. Question everything

Be curious. Don’t take things at face value. Cultivate a healthy sense of skepticism and interrogation. Ask why, ask how, and challenge conventional wisdom.

3. Create, don’t consume

In a world inundated with information and entertainment, challenge yourself to be a creator. Write, paint, code, cook, build — whatever it is, let your creative energy flow.

4. Laugh at yourself

Life becomes lighter when you can find humor in your own flaws and failures. It keeps the ego in check and resilience high.

5. Let go of perfection

Strive for progress, not perfection. Be open to the beauty of imperfection and understand that mistakes are a part of the growth process.

6. Ditch the plan

While setting goals is crucial, be flexible with your path. The most enriching experiences often occur when we ditch the plan and dive head-first into the unexpected.

7. Learn to say no

Your time and energy are precious. Prioritize your well-being and goals by saying “no” to demands that don’t serve you.

8. Find solitude

Spending time alone is an open door to self-discovery and introspection. It’s in solitude that we often find the clarity we seek.

9. Seek after discomfort

I know. This one’s tough. Growth happens outside our comfort zone. Regularly do something that scares you or pushes your boundaries. It’s the quickest way to personal evolution.

10. Become friends with failure

Failure is a powerful teacher. Instead of fearing it, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

11. De-clutter your life

Simplify your surroundings. De-cluttering your physical space can bring clarity and peace to your mental space.

12. Pursue useless interests

Not everything has to be about productivity. Pursuing interests just for the sake of joy adds a richness to life that you can’t replicate in any other way.

13. Don’t fear judgment

People will always have opinions. Let them. Don’t let the fear of judgment hinder your journey. Stay true to yourself and your design.

14. Be patient

Real change takes time. Embrace the slow, steady progress of self-growth and learn to appreciate each step.

15. Embrace the mundane

Too many people chase the extremes. Don’t forget to find joy in the simple, everyday moments. These seemingly ordinary experiences often contain the most profound moments of connection, peace, and joy.

We’re done here, but you’re just getting started

Life, in its unpredictable, beautiful evolution, is a testament to the ever-ongoing design of you. You are the architect, poised and ready to chisel out your true, authentic self. There’s no right path, only your path.

It’s going to be something that happens over time.

Life will call upon you to trust yourself and be patient. Every once in a while, it’s going to humble you. But remember: Personal greatness begins here, with an action, a step. It begins with the realization that the design of you is never done. Take that next step forward. Do something unordinary.

Be extraordinary.

Surprise yourself.

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I’m a Sr. UX Designer helping amplify people & products through design. I’m the author of The You Design System, teaching you how to design The UX of You. With 22+ years of design, marketing, e-commerce, and UX experience, my passion is helping people & businesses apply their skills to how they’re experienced by others. Connect with me on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, or follow his writing on Medium.