Experimental Mindset: The Self-Improvement Safety Net
How adopting an experimental mindset can help you enjoy a smooth and fun personal development journey.
I’ll admit. I’m a self-improvement junkie. I gravitate towards personal development hacks like kids towards cartoons. Sometimes it works out great, while on some occasions I end up dropping everything only to start again the next week.
But I bet I’m not the only one. In fact, millennials love self-improvement. And they are not the only generation. From morning routines to hunting for the next best course and trying the latest diet, everyone wants to better an aspect of themselves.
Some people place it at the intersection of growth and self-defeat, others call it constant learning. The reality is there’s a fine line between striving to reach your maximum potential and becoming overwhelmed by all the areas you must work on. Considering our overscheduled lives and a fear of missing out, the pressure only adds up. Like for most things in life, balance is the answer.
But how do we find that perfect equilibrium in a sea of options, influences and gurus that tell you how to be the best version of yourself?
One of the best pieces of advice I got when I was going through some muddy times was to take every idea, opportunity and life path as an experiment. To simply try what comes my way and see if resonates. My first reaction? Who has that kind of time and energy? But the more I thought about it, the more it got to me.
“Life is trying things to see if they work.” — Ray Bradbury
Aren’t we wasting more time by frantically clinging to every new method that promises to completely change our lives without actually knowing if it’s right for us?
Science, business, art and many other fields have been thriving through experiments. Innovation and evolution are fueled by them. So why wouldn’t this approach serve us in our daily lives?
Having an experimental mindset means learning through trial and error without judging the inevitable setbacks you will encounter because you focus on how each experiment grows you. Here’s how adopting such a perspective can help.
It takes the pressure off
Nowadays, people tend to overwork themselves. Outside pressure also takes its toll on our stress levels. The most compassionate thing we can do is to cut ourselves some slack and don’t take things too seriously.
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” — Thomas Edison
When you experiment, you are not attached to the outcome, but the process. Failure simply becomes something that didn’t grant the expected results and not the monster that keeps you up at night.
Make informed decisions
It’s easy to get lost in the self-development frenzy without having a clue about what you should do next. I know I’ve been there. By experimenting you will draw clear information and actionable insights on how to improve yourself.
“We cannot advance without new experiments in living, but no wise man tries every day what he has proved wrong the day before.” — James Adams
Think about it this way. Would you rather spend three months doing a new routine to see if it will improve focus or would you rather do it for one month, collect data and logically decide whether you should continue?
Minimum risk
What I love most about an experimental perspective is the minimum risk it offers. If things work out, great. If not, the data you collected will help you in planning your next move. You can change direction whenever you see fit and you will walk away without regrets knowing it was the best move for you.
So how do we embrace an experimental mindset? Allow me to suggest a few steps from what I’ve tried and read along the way:
1. Accept that things may not always be perfect
While this might sound like a cliché, adopting an experimental mindset requires us to let go of how things should be and surrender to the unknown. This will also help in eliminating some of the fixed beliefs we’ve been dragging along and no longer serve us.
2. Follow your intuition
There are so many various areas where you could be experimenting. Sometimes you will know exactly what you want to try out to improve your life, while other times it’s easier to just follow your intuition and start with the one that you feel right.
3. Ask the right questions
I am a firm believer that evolution comes from asking better questions. Start every experiment by asking a few questions that will guide your process. Depending on what you are experimenting at the moment, they could be related to anything from when to end the experiment, the best way to collect data to the benefits of the experiment. You might get lost along the way but reviewing this exercise will keep you on track.
4. Take enough time to experiment
In this step, all you have to do is stay mindful and enjoy the process. How long you will want to carry the experiment is up to you and usually depends on what you choose to experiment but make sure you allow enough time to collect all the information you need. Sometimes you might have to redo the experiment or section it into smaller ones.
5. Reflect on the lessons learned
Put your scientist hat on and take an objective look at all the findings you gathered throughout the experimental phase. You can even write them down to help you draw a conclusion.
6. Consider your next steps
Did it work? If so, think about the next steps you want to take. It’s easier to adopt new habits when you are all excited about your success. If it didn’t, simply redo the steps with another experiment. And by all means, remember to have fun every step of the journey and be kind to yourself.
An experimental mindset can fill your life with curiosity, clarity and knowledge. Even adopting such a perspective can be an experiment to see if it fits. After all, there is no right or wrong. Only what truly works for you.
