Design Thinking: Simple Tools for Solving Real-World Problems

Welcome to Myford University. I’m George Sloane, and if you’ve ever been stuck, frustrated, or unsure how to move forward—this one's for you.

Today, we’re taking a closer look at Design Thinking—a term that sounds trendy but delivers real-world results when applied correctly. Whether you’re running a business, leading a team, managing your household, or trying to improve your life, this framework gives you a better way to think, solve, and act.

Let’s simplify it and make it yours.

What the Hell Is Design Thinking?

Design Thinking is a practical, people-first approach to solving problems. It’s not about making things “look good”—it’s about making things work better by starting with real human needs.

The five-step process goes like this:

1. Empathize – Understand what real people are experiencing
2. Define – Clarify the real problem you’re trying to solve
3. Ideate – Generate creative and practical ideas
4. Prototype – Build a simple version of the solution
5. Test – Get feedback, make improvements, and move fast

That’s it. No fluff. Just a clear path from confusion to solution.

Why Should You Care?

We live in a world full of problems that don’t get solved—poor service, broken processes, unmotivated teams, unclear decisions. The same goes for our personal lives.

Design Thinking breaks you out of that rut. It helps you:

• Listen better
• Think smarter
• Act faster
• Solve things that actually matter

At Myford University, we’re here to give you skills, not just theory. This one’s a powerhouse.

Who Can Use It?

If you work with people or solve problems, Design Thinking is for you.

• Entrepreneurs can use it to nail customer needs
• Managers can design better workflows
• Educators can improve how students learn
• Parents can reimagine routines or tackle behavior issues
• Tradespeople can streamline how they deliver value
• You can use it for your own career or life decisions

No degree required. Just curiosity and a willingness to think differently.

When Should You Use It?

Design Thinking works best when:

• You feel stuck
• People are unhappy with current solutions
• The problem isn’t fully understood yet
• You need to innovate, not just improve

Use it early in a project—or anytime you’re trying to fix, improve, or redesign something.

How to Use It in Real Life

Here’s how each phase looks in action:

Empathize – Ask what’s frustrating people. Observe behavior. Listen.
Define – Clarify the actual problem (hint: it’s often not what you first think).
Ideate – Generate 10+ ideas without judgment. Mix wild and practical.
Prototype – Sketch or simulate a solution. Don’t make it perfect—make it testable.
Test – Let real users try it, collect feedback, and adjust. Fast.

Example: If your customers hate waiting all day for a service call, don’t start with software. Start by asking them what they actually want. Maybe it's just better communication or tighter scheduling windows.

What Makes Design Thinking So Different?

• It starts with people, not assumptions
• It values feedback, not perfection
• It encourages collaboration, not solo genius
• It’s about doing, not theorizing

And once you get the hang of it, you’ll start using it everywhere—from your next big business idea to planning your next vacation.

The Bottom Line

Design Thinking isn’t just for designers. It’s for thinkers, doers, and problem-solvers—just like you.

So don’t overcomplicate it. Start with a problem that matters to you. Use the five steps. Get feedback. Improve fast.

At Myford University, we’ll keep taking these so-called “complex” ideas and making them simple enough to apply TODAY—not five years from now after you’ve racked up student loans and memorized jargon.

As always, don’t just think—DO.

Want to read the full article? Find it here.

See you next time.

—
George Sloane
Founder and Dean, Myford University
“Driven in an F150. Teaching from the road.”