Posts Tagged ‘take time to experiment’

I love experimenting through life and encourage more of you to do so.  On the one hand , it gives me a way to “hold” any failure or the less-than-hoped-for result that may occur.  I can say, “I tried something out and while it may not have worked so well, I learned….”  On the other hand, it allows me the ease to keep moving forward in life and trying stuff. There is not such a big risk when you are less invested in perfection, and more curious about learning.

It’s a conscious thing with me.  When I’m faced with a new project about which I have some trepidation, like putting a first newsletter out  to a new mailing list and feeling vulnerable with my thinking and with my organically shifting intentions, I’m aware it takes a little courage. I don’t want to look like a fool.  Soooo,  I find myself sitting at my desk having a brief  “courage conversation” and talking myself into it. The bottom line of the little dialogue usually ends up like this:  “It is an experiment after all, and as long as I am honest about the process, I’ll learn what it needs to be on the next iteration. Whatever happens is OK.”

When I think about it, that’s the mind set that enabled me to write 3 books–all experiments.  It enabled me to go to Greece and Brazil, despite limited mobility.  Thankfully all “experiments”  succeeded beyond my expectations.

Mistakes are the usual bridge between inexperience and wisdom. ~ Phyllis Theroux

It was seeing this quote that reminded me of my own philosophy and prompted me to pen some thoughts on the topic.   Experimenting is my gift to myself…and very possibly to others.

Consider this:  Perhaps,  getting out there, no matter what it takes to persuade you to do so, is not only your path to wisdom, but your gift to the world.

What do you think?