Beginners Guide to Design Thinking

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You can support us in the following ways:
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Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.
Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.
Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/
Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/
If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: [email protected]

Your hosts, Lucy and Tracy, kick off season 2 with an episode entitled 'A Beginner's Guide to Doing Things'.
*This episode is kindly sponsored by Vaughan Broderick, co-author of The DUCTRI Playbook*
In this episode, they challenge you - the listener - to take a fresh approach to growing your business and up-levelling your lives using the power of design thinking.
They discuss the basics of adopting new habits, overcoming initial challenges, and how to stay consistent when starting something new. The episode dives into tips for beginners in various fields, emphasising how small steps lead to bigger successes over time.

Key Topics Covered:

• [00:00] Introduction to Season 2:
  Lucy and Tracy introduce the new season and outline what listeners can expect in terms of topics and themes.
• [03:15] Breaking Down Common Beginner Struggles:
  Discussion on the universal challenges beginners face, from lack of confidence to fear of failure, and strategies to overcome these.
• [08:45] Practical Tips for Forming and Maintaining New Habits:
  Lucy and Tracy share actionable advice on how to build habits that stick, emphasising consistency over perfection.
• [13:30] The Importance of Mindset:
  A segment focused on how having the right mindset can make or break progress when starting something new.
• [17:50] Real-Life Examples of Starting from Scratch:
  The hosts provide personal anecdotes and examples from other beginners who have successfully progressed by sticking to their routines.

Quotable Moments:

• "Success isn't about doing everything right at the start—it's about doing the right things consistently."
• "Everyone starts somewhere, and often the toughest part is just beginning."

Call to Action:

• Lucy and Tracy encourage you - the listener - to take the first step towards your goals, no matter how small, and to stick with it despite the obstacles.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:
Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.
Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.
Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.
Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/
Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/
If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: [email protected]

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the common pitfalls that individuals and teams encounter during the process. They emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders, defining clear problem statements, and the iterative nature of design thinking.
The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, data-driven decisions, and maintaining focus on the purpose while avoiding distractions. The hosts also discuss the balance between striving for excellence and knowing when to quit, providing listeners with practical insights to navigate their design thinking journeys effectively.
*This episode is kindly sponsored by Blonde Creative.*
Key Topics Covered:
00:00 Introduction to Design Thinking and Stakeholders
08:18 The Importance of Stakeholders
15:42 Making Incremental Changes
21:40 Avoiding Design Thinking Theatre
29:25 Knowing When to Quit
Quotable Moments:

• "The only way out is through."
• "Don't forget your why."
• "Design thinking is a journey."

Call to Action:
Lucy and Tracy encourage readers to embrace the messy middle; providing insight into, and awareness of, the potential pitfalls they may encounter.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:
Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.
Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.
Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.
Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/
Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/
If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: [email protected]

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore how empathy helps us understand others and ourselves, fosters deeper connections, and leads to better decision-making. They also delve into the significance of forming a distinct point of view to be used as a guide to action when navigating potential challenges.
*This episode is kindly sponsored by Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born From Design.*

Key Topics Covered:

• [00:00] What to expect:
  Lucy and Tracy introduce the episode by framing the importance of empathy and having a strong sense of personal perspective as key tools for beginners in any journey.
• [05:00] Understanding Empathy and Its Impact on Relationships:
  Discussion re how empathy allows us to better relate to others, helping to build stronger, more meaningful connections both personally and professionally.
• [10:30] Defining Your Point of View:
  Explaining the value of having a clear and consistent point of view, and how it can help individuals stay grounded while making decisions, setting boundaries, and pursuing their goals.
• [15:40] Balancing Empathy with Assertiveness:
  How to strike a balance between being empathetic to others’ needs, whilst staying true to your own perspective and values.
• [18:00] Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable:
  Lucy and Tracy dive into the idea that discomfort is a natural part of growth. They emphasise that becoming comfortable with discomfort is key to personal development, and how accepting this can make navigating challenges less daunting.
• [20:00] Final Thoughts and Reflections:
  Encouraging listeners to embrace empathy as a strength and to take the time to clearly define their personal viewpoints as a way to lead with confidence and authenticity.

Quotable Moments:

• "Empathy is not just about understanding others; it's about using that understanding to guide your actions with compassion and clarity."
• "Your point of view is your compass. It keeps you focused on what matters most, even when life throws you off course."
• "Growth often comes from stepping into the uncomfortable—it's about recognizing that discomfort is part of the process, and that's okay."

Call to Action:

• Lucy and Tracy challenge listeners to practice empathy in their daily interactions while also taking time to reflect and clearly define their personal point of view.

Send us a text

Support the show

You can support us in the following ways:
Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions.
Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests.
Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time.
Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/
Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Website - https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/
If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: [email protected]

Send us a Text Message.

In this episode we chat with Alison Wombwell, a Neurodiversity specialist, about how she was introduced to design thinking by Lucy, and why she then knew that design thinking needed to be part of the on-going support she now provides to female neurodivergent business owners as they start and grow their own business'.
A slight deviation from the norm for us, but then isn't that what design thinking is all about?!
Originally a client of Lucy's, they now run the NeurOkay program together via Flourish Unlimited. The NeurOkay program is created with design thinking at it's core, and Alison explains how design thinking provided her with several lightbulb moments as a neurodivergent business owner.
NeurOkay provides a blend of executive functioning and emotional regulation that supports clients in the moment, alongside creative business growth exercises that reduce associated overwhelm, and enable individuals to plan, start, and continue to develop their business, without falling foul of procrastination or being 'busy' rather than productive.
Alison then shares her insight regarding late-diagnosis, the presentation of neurodiverse conditions, and how the pandemic may have actually resulted in a greater number of people seeking diagnosis and support.
Filled with wisdom and sensitivity, whether you are neurodiverse or neurotypical, there's learning moments a-plenty in this episode.
Take a listen and better understand how the creativity and flexibility provided by design thinking will benefit you, regardless of who you are or how your brain works.

Support the Show.

You can support us in the following ways:
Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions, and enjoy the array of special guests as we progress from A to Z during season one.
Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/
Tracy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracychristinasharp/

Web: https://abeginnersguidetodesignthinking.net/
If you have any questions, or would like to work with us, please email: [email protected]