Remember you don’t have to save the world

An illustration of a person on a swing listening to music

But at least don’t break it.

Sometimes in the design world, there is all this talk about how Design is gonna make the world better. But in reality, most of us, are trying to do what we’re good at, passionate about in a way that serves others.

Being a dentist doesn’t save the world. But it’s helpful for others. Being a teacher doesn’t save the world. But it’s helpful for others. Being an account doesn’t save the world. But it’s helpful for others.

What we do doesn’t have to be gigantic, life changing or world changing.

Even if I try to do the most good, remembering that I don’t have to save the world from time to time is also nice. (1)

Action question

How can you reduce your (and your team) climate anxiety (2) you have while keeping on doing the most good?

Footnotes

(1 )Jason Fried, one of the founders of Basecamp has a nice article about a similar idea called Knives and battleships

(2) Being anxious doesn’t help, usually it blocks.