Wintersession workshop makes impact

Keller's design program manager Jessica Leung just wrapped her inspiring workshop, NOT Too Late to Design Your Life, at Princeton University's Wintersession. Participants were led through exercises of reflection using design thinking methodologies to help them create an action plan to attain life goals. 

Leung expertly guided the group of students, staff, and faculty through a series of activities that allow them to not only reflect on where they currently are in life but to accept their present situation while acknowledging their talents and strengths. Participants then created daily action plans based on where they would like to be in five years.

"Breaking down goals into digestible chunks of achievable daily actions can feel less overwhelming than looking at the big picture," said Leung. Additionally, she explains that broadening your goals can help create a realistic pathway to success. For example, maybe your goal is to be the President of the United States. She advises participants to consider working towards making impact through political engagement, "this way, you can start to build a daily action plan that is within reach," said Leung.

Mary Kemler, senior manager and ticketing administrator for University Services, was one of the forty participants in Leung's 2-session workshop. "This class was a great reminder of the power I have in managing my own life. There will always be things out of my control, but not everything is out of my control. There are plenty of choices I can make to affect positive change. Jessica created a safe, accepting environment where I had the time and room to reflect on where I am and where I want to be, with the knowledge that there was no right or wrong answer," said Kemler.

Leung holds architecture degrees from USC and Princeton. She has extensive experience working in the design field and teaches human-centered design courses at Princeton through the Keller Center. She is currently pursuing certification as a life coach and has integrated her newfound skills and knowledge into her design workshop. 

"The material in this class was inventive, thought-provoking, and applicable to life," says Kemler. "Additionally, Jessica's non-judgmental attitude coupled with her effervescent personality made this workshop a joy." 

Leung shared this insightful quote with her students, "If you want to be happy, put your effort into controlling the sail, not the wind." Sage advice indeed.

This workshop was one of over a dozen Wintersession workshops offered by the Keller Center's faculty and staff.