Throughout all of history, humans improved individually and collectively through experimentation.
We test what could work to validate what does work.
Along the way, we run into unintentional solutions.
Experimentation's nature of being unpredictable is the very thing that makes it special.
Woven in its unpredictability are world-changing breakthroughs.
It's where Serena and Venus Williams discovered their undefendable tennis techniques. It's how Elon Musk built the most efficient rockets from the lessons of multiple launch failures. It's how Jackson Pollock shattered the idea of art by being the first artist to paint a painting that didn't have any subject matter. It was just a painting.
Simply put: the world's greatest thinkers use experimentation to stay ahead of the curve.
You should use it, too.
Use experimentation to gamify your craft. Every time you experiment, you reach a new level, unlocking new experiences, growth opportunities, and insight.
Your success in your craft will be determined by how you play this game.
Amateur creators play their craft like a slot machine. They experiment for the sake of experimenting. While this could lead to a random breakthrough, it's unlikely when the experimentation is scattered. They'll level up based on luck. Maybe they will grow, but the odds aren't in their favor.
Professional creators play their craft like chess. They rarely experiment. They focus heavily on their past experiences to make future decisions. While they will progress, they most likely won't experience novel ideas or discover new concepts. They'll level up slowly, and eventually, they'll plateau.
Creative geniuses play their craft like professional poker. They follow a strategy that allows them to experiment when the odds seem in their favor. Instead of testing random ideas like amateurs, they test hypotheses based on past experiences. These tests lead to one of two things: they win or lose. Their losses reveal valuable lessons or information, or when they win, they win big, making significant breakthroughs. Both paths level them up.
So, approach your craft with the mind of an experimenting creative genius.
Play it like a professional poker player.
Layout a strategy that gives you wiggle room to explore the unknown.
You may just discover that there's way more to your craft than you ever imagined.
Thanks for reading, talk to you later...
Stay creative,
