from Part III - Life Design Toolbox
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 April 2026
This chapter introduces empathy methods as the essential starting point of every Life Design journey. Rather than jumping into solutions, empathy means slowing down and tuning into what energizes, matters, and feels authentically you. The chapter centers on three methods: (1) Three Good Things – a powerful, research-backed habit to increase well-being and emotional clarity; (2) Strengths Portfolio – a method for identifying and applying your signature strengths across personal and professional life; and (3) Connecting the Dots – a storytelling exercise that reveals patterns of aliveness and meaning from your past. Each method supports self-awareness, helps surface hidden desires, and offers practical steps for crafting a more fulfilling path forward. Whether you’re just beginning or returning to Life Design, these tools build emotional insight, support reflection, and serve as springboards for meaningful ideation and action.
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