A practical, creative approach to (re)inventing your life and work

Overview

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What do you want to be?

What if “finding your passion” is the wrong approach?

What if there isn’t one right answer to what you should do next?

What if your life isn’t a problem to solve but an adventure to live?

Design Your Life

Thinking like a designer can provide a unique way to approach life’s challenges and transitions. Don’t just think about making a change. Build and experiment your way forward.

The right framework can help you figure out what you want, who you want to grow into and how to create a life you love.

Ready to Design Your Life?

    • Hard to navigate by yourself

    • Trusted sounding board

    • Help you hold yourself accountable

  • We’ll utilize a proven framework, grounded in design thinking:

    • Action-Oriented: focus on prototyping and experimenting with ideas not over-planning

    • Clarity Through Curiosity: helps surface values, priorities and possibilities you may not see or be aware of

    • Life + Work: find your right balance between relationships, health, play, career and impact

  • How you will find and define yourself:

    • Confidence: ensure that your next steps match your values and vision

    • Momentum: move from ideas to action

    • Resilience: tools to reframe challenges when things don’t go as planned

    • Fulfillment: create a life that’s not just successful but truly satisfying

    • Drifting into someone else’s idea of success

    • Getting stuck in old roles, identities, or networks that no longer serve your growth

    • Wasting time and energy chasing opportunities that don’t align with what matters most to you

    • Missing the chance to design an intentional mix of work, play, relationships and health

“Life isn’t a problem to solve….but an adventure to live”

Coaching Services

Whether you’re finishing school, changing careers, returning from a break, selling a business or simply ready for a new chapter, this is about building the next version of you — with curiosity, creativity and intentionality. 

It can be hard to know where to start or make the time to think about the future. Together, we’ll design your playbook for what’s next — a practical, creative approach to (re)inventing your life and work.

Here’s how we can work together:

  • One-on-One

  • Group workshop with 3-5 people (6 sessions)

  • Have a group in mind? Let’s talk.

  • Where should I start? How should I start?

    Am I too late or behind? (spoiler alert: you’re not!)

    Maybe you're in school. Maybe you’ve chosen a major. Perhaps you even like it.

    How do I turn that into a career?

    You’re right where you should be!

    Research found that only 1 in 5 found something meaningful to dedicate their life to. And, it’s estimated that a person has 12 jobs in a lifetime. 

    It can be hard to find a passion. I applaud you if you have. You typically won’t think your way to it. You can’t be told what it should be. And, it will likely be a continuous work in progress.

    Let’s experiment and build your way to it. Together!

    I’ll help you create a framework to use throughout your career…and life.

  • You thrive in running your company but when faced with open space — you’re seeking structure to explore new options and identity, while continuing to make positive impact.

    If you have or will exit, do you want to design a purposeful, energized next chapter rather than potentially drift or fall into a default path?

    But how?

    This is about building the next version of you — with the same creativity, intentionality, and boldness you poured into your business. Together, we’ll create your playbook for reinvention.

    Feel more confident selling your business knowing what comes next for you!

  • Those in (or want to be in) transition

    We spend so much of our lives working.

    • Is it meaningful? Impactful? Fulfilling? 

    • What does your definition of “success” look like?

    • How (or why) did you get into your profession?

    • Does it make you proud? Or someone else?

    • Was it a conscious choice?

    It can be easier to stay on the path you’ve set. But what if it’s time to find a new path? Whether it’s by choice or not.

    How will you navigate your way?

    I’ll help you answer the question — What’s next?

Who can benefit:

Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?

 — The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Group Workshop (Professionals)

August 19 - September 23 Wednesdays for 90-min

Register

Group Workshop (Students & Recent Grads)

August 18 - September 22 Tuesdays for 90-min

Register

“Living a life of impact through meaningful connections”

— Joel Stern

This sums up what I believe my life is about. This thought came to me when I stopped, thought about my purpose, and what I want guiding me.

I’m excited to connect and help you discover your path. Help you figure out what’s best for you. It’s empowering. As a certified coach, we’ll use a model that can help you navigate life, not just your career. 

I’ve spent over 20 years in corporate recruiting, working with high-growth startups to large companies, helping to hire and fill 1000’s of positions. I’ve worked for global companies and have lived abroad. I’ll bring a broad perspective to the conversation.

  • If you started like me, you interviewed with companies that came on campus. My choices were limited and competitive. It forced my hand to start a design thinking approach (only I didn’t know that’s what it was called at the time). So there I was, sitting in our student union, talking with an Advisor. And it hits me to ask — “How did you get your job?” That simple question changed the trajectory of my life! It introduced me to design thinking. And I’m forever grateful. 

    I’ve been happily married for almost 25 years. Our daughter, a freshman in college, continues to share her light and joy with all who are lucky to know her. I’m grateful for the love we share. I love to stay active. I hike as often as I can (especially with my wife). Play golf. Participate in sprint triathlons (24 and counting). I’m open to just about anything that gets my heart pumping.

    — Joel Stern

Ready
to go?

Together, we’ll design your playbook for what’s next — a practical, creative approach to (re)inventing your life and work. Whether you’re changing careers, finishing school, returning from a break, selling a business or simply ready for a new chapter, this is about building the next version of you — with curiosity, creativity, and intentionality. 

You’ll find more clarity, energy and confidence about what comes next.

Ready to Design Your Life?

Testimonials

  • Taking Joel’s Designing Your Life course was a deeply impactful experience for me. Through reflections, mind-mapping, and guided discussions, I learned how to connect my values with the kind of life I want to live. I finished the program feeling more confident and genuinely excited about what my future can hold.

    Laura (student)

  • The workshop was incredibly helpful — especially the one-on-one conversations. As a parent, I loved that my daughter had a neutral sounding board to help her articulate what she wanted and gain clarity without parental pressure. She left with more confidence, direction and a clearer understanding of what she wants next.

    Parent (college senior)

  • I joined Joel’s Design Your Life group coaching with a couple of colleagues and the experience was incredibly impactful. The program’s structure strikes the perfect balance. It’s flexible enough to allow for genuine experimentation and 'prototyping,' while remaining grounded in the actionable principles of design theory. The highlight for me was the group dynamic; there is a unique power in learning alongside others who are navigating the same process. That collective exploration added a layer of depth that goes beyond traditional one-on-one coaching. In fact, I found the methodology so valuable for augmenting my own professional practice that I am now looking into the certification myself. I highly recommend Joel’s coaching for anyone ready to move from reflection into intentional action.

    Rachelle (professional)

  • Having Joel there to help talk me through how I should approach designing my life was incredibly useful. He served as an expert hand to guide me through the process and was a delight to speak with.

    Robert (professional)

  • Joel has been a pleasure to work with. When we first met, it was clear that we were going to get along and he’d be able to assist me on my journey. Going into this process, I knew that something was not right and that I felt trapped in what I was doing. Now, I may still not have a roadmap for success or happiness but I have the knowledge and the tools to reflect and test my way forward. This is a framework that I know I will use with decisions that will impact forever.

    Michael (professional)

  • I decided to work with Joel after finding myself ready for a career change in my early 30’s, but lacking direction. I had a few ideas already in mind, but could not figure out how to choose which one, or any of them for that matter, would be a good fit. Joel helped me look more objectively at what was important to me, what I found joy in doing, and how to build a framework to explore these ideas in a way that didn’t feel overwhelming or daunting. This workshop was hard, but in the best way possible: it forced me to think about my life and work in ways I never had before. With Joel’s guidance, I came out with a much clearer path forward and skills I will continue to use for life!

    Jeffrey (professional)

  • My son felt encouraged and heard. He genuinely looked forward to every session. He often came out excited to share what he'd learned and was already applying those insights to his life. Joel's authentic, relatable style helped him gain confidence, create a realistic plan for his future, and move forward with purpose.

    Parent (recent college grad)

Let’s Design Your Life: