Business author, Dale Dauten, observes, “Experiments never fail.” Experiments never fail because you are just as interested in what doesn’t work as what does. “Whatever you find out,” says author Steve Chandler, “helps you grow. There is no failure in that.”
The looming question is, why don’t we experiment more? Primarily, few view it as a matter of growth. It is almost always seen as a referendum on what someone does not know. Not knowing is seen as underachievement. Therefore, who strives to know what they don’t know? Successful people…that’s who!
Encouragement to Increase Experimentation:
Think more like Tom: Thomas Edison, who is credited with the invention of light bulb, said, after dozens of failures, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” This is the exact mindset each of us need in order to increase our experimentation rate.
View experiments like recess when you were young. A means to play and interact during a mundane day
Make your experiments about discovering what may not work, this will result in more wins
The genuine goal of life experimentation is to grow. Growth is unearthing new things. Growth is trying that which will stretch you. Growth is a journey in knowing more. Growth is adding to your experience. Growth is learning to appreciate all that makes you better. Growth is about getting dirty in the mud puddles of life. Growth happens when it seems as if nothing is happening.
Listen to Mr. Edison one more time, "Your worth consists in what you are and not in what you have.” When you embrace this, your life of experimentation will really begin.