Originally shared in our March 2026 Top of Mind Newsletter.
We often inherit cultural scripts that tell us to chase the next achievement or optimize our routines, promising that “meaning” will be waiting for us on the other side. Yet, as the bar continually moves, we can lose touch with what truly brings us alive. In a recent episode of the Rich Roll Podcast, Bill Burnett and Dave Evans, co-founders of Stanford’s Life Design Lab, dismantle these conventional scripts. Drawing from their new book, How to Live a Meaningful Life, they discuss how we can apply the principles of human-centered design to the deeply human struggle of building a purpose-driven life.
At ELI, we recognize that this search for meaning is not just a philosophical exercise; it is the absolute foundation of true self-motivation.
The entrepreneurial mindset is inherently driven by purpose. By using design thinking to unlock joy and flow, Burnett and Evans echo a core tenet of entrepreneurial education: when individuals are empowered to define their own compelling goals and connect with their deeper “why,” they unlock the internal drive necessary to overcome obstacles and realize their full potential.