The night before AC4D Orientation started, an image planted itself in my mind of hovering above the textured canopy of a jungle and knowing I was about to drop down right into the heart of it. I smiled when our instructors explained on Day 1 that they would be sending us out into the wilderness – guess I wasn’t too far off! Jumping into something completely new can be intimidating. Especially when you have finally reached a point where you’ve built some confidence and ease in your area of work. It can feel disorienting to suddenly realize your old navigational tools and tricks aren’t working so well. And all you can do is give your full attention to everything around you and build new skills for wayfinding. That takes a hearty dose of courage.

This is where I found the emphasis on having a growth mindset especially empowering. It’s OK to come into something new with a beginner’s mind. It’s OK to feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. It’s OK to make mistakes. In fact, that may be the very best way to learn. I found it really satisfying to allow myself to be in that space this week.

Takeaway 1: The wilderness is a superb place to learn.

The story goes that when I was 4, my pre-school took us to the swimming pool for our first swim lessons. I got decked out in my swimmers and then stood stubbornly on the edge of the pool and refused to enter the water. I explained that I could not jump in because I did not know how to swim. In retrospect, it sounds pretty logical. I suspect the truth is that I did not trust my instructor to guide me through something that seemed intimidating. So I asked my big sister to teach me, and was soon swimming circles around my peers.

What made the difference for me in this experience of jumping into the deep end of design this week was the personability, approachability, and empathy of our instructors. They brought their real selves to the table from the beginning and guided us in a way that emphasized showing up, doing our best in the moment, and connecting with each other. This made me feel like I was in good hands and could trust the process even when it was disclosed one little piece at a time. As someone who has written a fair bit about good facilitation, I really enjoyed being on the experiential side where I could observe the different feelings and responses that it brought forward for me. It reaffirmed to me the importance of building trust and creating a safe space for people to learn and grow in.

Takeaway 2: Feeling you can trust your guides builds courage.

Starting to interview strangers on Day 2 with very little prep time and zero practice was not the easiest thing to be fearless about. With Omicron spiking, this meant Zoom for us. Seems easier in some ways. But for someone who’s always had the luxury of turning off my video due to poor internet connections, I find video calls extremely awkward and disjointed. So this was a valuable learning opportunity – to sit with my own discomfort while trying to help the other person feel comfortable while focusing whatever energy I had left to hear what they were saying to me. I have no new love for video calls, but something tells me it will get easier over time. Growth mindset!

For all the awkward moments of running through the design process with no prior experience, what really jumped out at me by the end of it all was that simply connecting with people, asking them questions about their lives, and listening with a kind ear can draw out a wealth of information and insights. I was surprised to read the utterances we pulled out of our interviews – so much good stuff in there. I love the approach that people are the experts on their own lives and experiences, and that what they say matters. I am reminded that this is why I was draw to design in the first place, and am excited to keep growing this skill set.

Take away: This is not about me being polished and perfect. It’s about showing up, being present with people, and following their lead to uncover new ways to make their lives better.