April 2006 Newsletter
Online Issue # 12
In this Issue:
See also, the print-friendly version of
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The Front Page
To Begin—Experiment
If you've taken one of my classes or worked with me individually, we've probably talked about small experiments you could try. Maybe you've conducted a few on your own, just to see what might happen. To me, experiments are terrific opportunities to discover something about what you want or need to know. Who hasn't had a fabulous idea that, once it was made real, never achieved its imaginary appeal? It might still remain a fabulous idea, but now that you have more information and experience, it's not one you'll be choosing anytime soon. Not every great idea makes your life great, but you often can't tell the difference until you conduct an experiment or two.
Some people are so focused on getting it right or getting started right away, that the prospect of an experiment is viewed as an unnecessary delay and deliberately bypassed. Who wants to discover weak links, missing information or things that need more time, work and attention? Who wants to delay a dream coming true? But on the other hand, who wants to create a dream-come-true nightmare?
Experiments promote flexibility and allow for a change of plan, mind and heart. Ineffectual methods can be modified or dropped, while better approaches can be developed and incorporated. This is often an unscientific, rather organic process of moving along to make something real happen. By focusing on a dream and how the world responds to it, you, the experimenter, need to be present to what is or is not happening in the moment. And creatively interacting to influence the best outcome. As information, impressions and experience accumulate, so does your own inner knowing and confidence.
Whether or not the outcomes are as originally envisioned, something wonderful occurs. Action is taken and stuff happens. Dedicated, focused observation returns rewards. An experiment can be totally convincing—I am going to do this. This is what I want. I love it. Or it can convince in the opposite direction—I will not be choosing this. I'm so glad I found this out before I committed myself further. Or a mixture—I sure am smarter now. I want to rethink this and talk to a few more people. Maybe I need to narrow my focus even more. Regardless, a more informed process emerges from the experiment.
There are things we just can't know for certain in advance. How can we know whether we will love, thrive, prosper and succeed at something we've never done before, without a little "trial and error" experimenting?
Your experiments are like warming up prior to vigorous exercise, stretching and easing into a thing with a mind toward your own well-being. You're not stalling, avoiding or delaying; it's just the opposite. Experiments are proof that you've begun the process. You're doing it.
The experiments you set up for yourself are ways to test the waters before you fling yourself into a sink or swim, do or die, scenario. Sure, experiments are often smaller and less dramatic than the real thing, but they allow you to obtain what you need: experience, information, self knowledge, confidence, support, results. They also enable you to minimize what you don't need: failure, loss, the premature death of your dream and all sorts of financial, legal and emotional reverberations.
Soooo... what ideas are you entertaining these days? How could you set up a little experiment or two to see what happens? Depending on your confidence and experience, it's fine to start small and go slow.
Enjoy a field trip. Volunteer. Attend a conference. Take a noncredit class. Build a cardboard prototype. Share samples. Get feedback. Take lessons. Draft an article. Talk to people. Contact someone who shares your interest. Find a friendly mentor. Take photos. Doodle a business card. Plan a trip. Google your idea. Buy the tools you need. Say yes.
However you do it, begin to try new things and immerse yourself in what you love, in order to find out whether you really love it or whether you love the idea of it—since these are two quite different things. You also need to find out if what you love is attracted to you.
What follows are a few of my own favorite experiments: Painted a table purple. Created a course proposal. Asked for help to envision a retreat. Took a class on creating newsletters. Leased an office for one year, now going on eleven. Sketched a web page.
Here's a friendly nudge for you to consider, if you want. What experiments are waiting for you to act? What do you hope to discover? What do you need to get started? Is 2006 the year to say yes?
To begin—experiment. Since there is value and guidance in whatever you discover, encourage yourself to play. It's one sure way of allowing room for the mystery of what you can't yet imagine.
With gratitude,
Laurie Mattila
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