Fuck it. I create. — Getting Unstuck: Design Thinking for Power
At our first Eastside gathering, we made space to ground, connect, forget, and create. For the second session, we’re applying design thinking to real life and work—to the places where we feel stuck. I’m drawing from Stanford d.school, but we’ll make it our own. If you missed the first session because you didn’t know what the heck this workshop was, you gotta be here.
This is a crazy and noisy time. AI? Layoffs? Mental struggles? Money? Expectations? If something is pressing on you so hard that you’re saying, I am fucking done with this, but I don’t know what’s next, this is the place for you. We’re going to work on creating your own space, your own work, your own life—your amazing, genius shit.
Leaders create. The mediocre follow. And this has nothing to do with how good you are at any particular skill. When you want it so bad, you can learn a skill, or find someone who’s good at it. But you need to know what you want. You need to develop your own taste instead of borrowing someone else’s. When you’re stuck, your mind and soul can get trapped in a box you don’t even know is there. You can grind toward the so-called greater and better for decades and still not have the freedom you wanted.
So bring the game on. Let’s get the real thing going. Bring one real thing you’re stuck on. We’ll use design thinking, our senses, and each other to see it from a new angle. I’m keeping the exercises a surprise. You’ll work with other curious people, make something, and choose one move to take in your real life afterward.
Together, we’ll create a safe space to ground, connect, forget, and create. We’ll start by getting familiar with the room and each other, especially if you’re an introvert. You’ll be asked to throw away your professional mask, get comfortable with an uncomfortable moment, and participate. The questions can be serious. We will still have fun with them.
I’m Carl Liu, a Beijinger in Seattle, a product leader, and a former Pokémon GO product lead. I studied at Cornell and Stanford and founded Seattle Club Awakenings. This series draws on Stanford d.school’s creativity framework and my own life experience.
Everyone is welcome, regardless of background, status, religion, gender, or age. We’ll treat each other with openness and respect. Bullying and judgment have no place here.
Bring your true self and be ready to adventure.
This is an independent community event and is not affiliated with Stanford University.