Design Thinking: The Game Changer of My Life and Business

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always seen things differently. My way of tackling challenges and solving problems never quite fit the standard mold. This unique approach often created friction—especially in university projects or collaborations where others clung to their limiting beliefs, unable to see beyond traditional solutions.

It wasn’t until I was well into my 40s that I discovered my way of thinking wasn’t so unique after all—it was actually a methodology! This revelation came when a client recommended a book on design thinking. As I read, I was floored; the process described was exactly how I thought, solved problems, and lived. It felt like someone had put a name to my entire approach to life and work.

That epiphany was a turning point. I dove headfirst into studying design thinking. I traveled to Queen’s University for an executive course on strategy, innovation and design thinking, several at UBC and signed up for every IDEO course I could find (I’m a huge fan!). With every course and workshop, I felt like I was uncovering something profound, but I still wasn’t sure how this would directly impact my coaching practice.

Then, I stumbled on Designing Your Life by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett. This book helped me connect the dots and bring everything together. I learned from and soaked up their insights and adapted them to my own style.

Designing Your Life taught me to proactively design my future, not just let it happen. I started applying these principles to my own life, creating more joy and fulfillment, and soon found myself bringing this process into my work with clients as well.

Through this journey, I coined a few philosophies of my own, which have now become part of what I call the Quick Strategy Method. It’s not just a way to get unstuck—it’s a tool for reconnecting with yourself, ensuring that your goals, vision, and lifestyle are aligned with your actions.

For me, design thinking was a game-changer. It transformed my life, my business, and my approach to coaching. And it continues to guide me in helping others create lives they truly love.

“Choose to Live Your Life by Design not by Default” ~ Deborah Richardson

Need a ThinkPartner to work on your Re-Design, give me a text, WhatsApp or call 778-558-8605

November 10, 2024
Deborah Richardson
Uncategorized

Deborah helped me establish a plan for my life and goals to strive for. My perspective is broader and happier, and I feel I've regained control and direction that I thought I'd lost. Deborah is extraordinarily talented and passionate about what she does and I can't thank her enough.
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Lisa Bowering
4/25/2021
Deb has been mentoring me for some time concerning my pending retirement and what my next step in life will be. I have found her advice and emotional intelligence very helpful, and value her ability to ask the tough questions that force me to make some extremely important life decisions. Thanks Deb!
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Bruce Krutow
6/11/2023
Deborah is the BEST! I have been in business for years but needed a solid sounding board and new way of thinking that would take me into semi-retirement. She has provided the platform for me to work one on one with her to learn strategy and redevelop my action plan.
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Randy Morris
11/25/2020
Deborah has been VERY helpful in many different ways. She helped us gain insight into how we want to do our business and focused our business strategy toward doing our business in line with our values. She is very honest, easy to talk to, and very resourceful. If you are thinking of getting a business coach, she is definitely worth the money! :)
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Elizabeth Ng
3/30/2021
Deborah Richardson has a great energy that gets you excited about where you are headed both in business and in life. I needed to make major shifts and she had the insight, experience, knowledge to help you design the future. Her coaching helps you build confidence in putting your vision into motion. I can't praise ThinkPartner enough, it has been nothing short of extremely positive!
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Trevor Phillips
6/25/2024
Deborah's help with my reinvention has been crucial to my business and life transition. Her design-thinking methodology is a combination of mentoring and the coach approach. Simply put she's awesome and an indispensable think partner with the insight and real world experience to help you see your vision.
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Dana Smith, RMT
6/25/2021
I highly recommend Deb as a business coach! She has the rare ability to listen to the big (and sometimes confusing) picture and pull out the solution or reveal a hidden path forward. Many times throughout our time working together she helped me get "unstuck" and got me moving forwards towards and into the next level of my business.
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Jamie Smith
6/25/2018