Well Designed Life: 10 Lessons in Brain Science & Design Thinking for a Mindful, Healthy, & Purposeful Life

Coming into this, I knew little about neuroscience or design. This book helped me to understand how neuroscience explains my behaviors and how I can use design to change. I liked that it was an easy read, filled with insightful stories and metaphors from the author’s personal and business experiences. Found the exercises helpful. And it’s low-jargony. And funny! Most importantly, I feel inspired after reading it. I was surprised to know that I’m already designing my life in small ways (leaving my keys by the door makes me a designer!) and could see how I can make more out of these existing skills to design other parts of my life. After reading this book, I’m now armed with a multitude of easy-to-remember concepts that I have already begun to employ to help deal with life’s challenges. This beautiful, well-designed book is going out to all my friends as a holiday gift this season!

One of the better books I have read in a long time! Not usually one to read lots of self help books but her approach from a neuroscience perspective got my attention. Upon reading the book she teaches the neuroscience reasoning along with mindfulness and meditative components to behavioral change - so fundamentally different approach to truly changing behaviors than anything I have read. If everyone could truly understand why they are the way they are... they could change. I had so many "aha" moments in the book. We probably would not have the problems we have to today with obesity for one thing if people took the time to learn/understand these concepts. It makes so much sense. It is also written in a deeply personal style which makes it easy and enjoyable to read. I have purchased for several friends already.

This book is a must read for anyone who has ever tried to make change in their life. Kyra masterfully distills her 20+ years of wisdom and personal experience to share proven techniques for how each of us can reach our full potential by becoming the designers of the life we want to live. The difference between this book and many others out there is that her advice is grounded in hard, cold neuroscience. I loved learning about how our brains are wired, why so many of our attempts to make change fail and how, through iteration we can achieve long-term, sustainable change. Kyra has a way of making you feel like anything is possible - so long as you approach it as a designer. A bonus is that the book includes exercises throughout to help you apply the concepts and beautiful language, stories and vivid imagery that inspires and uplifts while also being very practical and applicable to the challenges many of us face trying to live healthier, better lives.

I don't usually read self-help books - mainly because I have often felt I can't change things in my life that I would like to be different - but I read this one with hope and gratitude that at last here was a book that would be actually useful. Maybe I could design my life. I was inspired. The book is so well written and so engaging, and well grounded in science, which is very important to me. I liked the concept of iterating on your design for life, of making small changes, adjusting your plan so that it will work for you, rather than glving up, of understanding what unknown forces and triggers shape your behavior. Dr. Bobinet shows you how to plan, how to evaluate your plan, how to modify it. I am applying the lessons of this book to some health changes I always knew I should make, but designing your life well also encompasses relationships, work-related issues, personal growth and many other spheres of life. I am delighted to have found this book.

This is one of the most readable, informative and truly fun personal growth books I have ever read (and I have read a lot)! Dr. Bobinet pulled me in with her storytelling and before I knew it, I felt like I had learned about neuroscience and absorbed some practical tools to help me make desired changes in my life. She is not an intellectual spouting off her knowledge, but clearly a caring person who passionately wants to help her readers improve their lives with her deep understanding of design thinking and human behavior. Her book offered me a fresh approach to tackling my various challenges in a practical, playful, non-judgemental way. I found especially helpful the concept that we humans don't have to achieve perfect results the first time we strive for change, but can continuously improve on the "design" of our lives until we create the desired results. A great purchase... Highly recommend!!

This is not the usual self help book. It doesn't rely on a few gimmicks that are supposed to make you feel better. It is grounded in science and relies on current neuroscience studies of the brain to base its suggestions for addressing both the mundane and deep seated nagging issues which bedevil our lives. Dr. Bobinet does not just rely on practical steps to design your life but makes these understandable and effective by leading the reader to be aware of deep rooted traits which govern behavior that you wish to change. What I also appreciated was that the author is frank in giving numerous helpful personal experiences, as well as from patients and friends, on how she and they succeeded in finding a design that solved a behavioral issue. Dr. Bobinet provides achievable ways to design our lives so we can, as she says, "..wriggle free" from being "..pinned down by life"

The author had some really great stories, but it was kind of hard to keep up with her. Sometimes things went above my head and I didn't understand everything. All in all it was good just wish it was not so over my head.

I hardly write reviews, however this book deserves it so much.I am interested in personal growth and how to change for a long time. While I have read a lot of valuable information on these popular topics, hardly any book has had such an impact on me like this one. I am not yet finished but already now I feel something has made 'click' inside me (and my brain). Changing bad habits somehow feels possible now - and not in this blown up, top level motivated form you encounter often. No, it feels deeper and more profound.This book gives you all the tools to really design your life for the better, while taking away pressure to succeed. Highly recommended!