Over the weekend at a holiday party, I told a friend that I've started to make more of my gifts. She asked what I was making this year, so I showed her photos of several different prototypes I made over the past week. She remarked, "I don't think I've ever heard someone use the word, "prototype" so many times. The thought percolated and I wondered, "what would happen if we all approached each day as if it were simply a prototype?"
Recently, I've felt more expansive. I've followed through on some big ideas, pushed myself out of my comfort zone and spoken my mind. I chalk all of this up to my new outlook of treating life as an experiment. Instead of launching a big program right away, I've tried pilots. Instead of planning an entire national campaign, I've started locally.
Using the word "experiment" makes room for failure, that concept that makes so many of us cower and stay small. When we experiment, we're in the mindset of curiosity and our eyes are open to what we might discover. When we experiment, we appreciate failure because we know it brings wisdom and launches us on a new path. We can behave more radically when we're simply prototyping because there's not so much on the line.
With life as an experiment, we must take action. Experiments don't happen without trying something we've never tried before. And if we really want to make changes in our lives, the only way to do that is by having thoughts and taking actions that are different than the ones we've tried before.
Over the next few weeks, design an experiment for yourself. It could be something as simple as trying a new way of introducing yourself to a stranger. As with any experiment, make a hypothesis. What do you think will happen when you try this new way of doing something? When you are living in the experiment, observe what’s happening. Just like a scientist, be keenly aware of what’s unfolding without having a stake in the outcome. When we can stop pushing into an answer, we find the path of least resistance, which is always the way life flows best.
Want to Flourish?
In 2017, we’ll be launching our Flourishing Workshop Series!
With successful prototypes of a program for veterans and a program for entrepreneurs, we’re ready to create more offerings. In 2017, we’ll have a full line up of workshops for veterans and entrepreneurs and will launch our first workshop for midlife seekers.
The Flourishing Workshop Series is designed for people who want to live big, bold, authentic lives. The workshops provide a proven framework to support self discovery, build clarity and increase fulfillment. We will share more on Flourishing over the next few weeks, so stay tuned to learn more about these courses that help people build more passionate, meaningful lives.
Give the Gift of Joy and Love!
Looking for a last minute holiday gift? Download our Five Practices of Joyful People e-book. For just two bucks you can print this colorful manual with tips for how to live a more joyful life.
Shopping for a significant other?Might we suggest, Five ways to Love Big? Package it up along with a bottle of wine and some candles for an evening of reflection and emotional bonding.