I recently watched a video by Bullet Journal, an interview with Anne-Laure Le Cunff about setting experiments, not goals. I thought it was interesting...the idea of doing experiments.
So I wanted to figure out how to get started, as someone who doesn't have immediate access to the book.
(Please note that I have not read the book. So this is all from my personal opinion.)
After watching this video, I decided to find ways to implement my own tiny experiments using the scientific method. In a nutshell, the scientific method works as follows:
What do you notice about your life and the world around you? In what do you want to make a change? In what do you have an interest?
In my own life, I want to make a change in my body in terms of what it can do. I also have an interest in using the zero waste philosophy as a means of reducing my consumption from big companies.
What about you?
Your observation might be that you want to shift to a healthier lifestyle. Perhaps you want find a new hobby? What changes do you want to make in your life?
Once you have the area or idea in your mind. Now, you can move to the next step and...
What questions? Any question surrounding the area you want to explore. The purpose of these questions is to get a deeper understanding of the experiment you want to take on.
These questions can be:
In my first example, I may decide on a particular maneuver that I want to be able to do. Then I decide on the exercises that will help me get there.
In my second example, I can decide on one switch that I can try that will eliminate my need to go to the store for that item (ie. cloth pads).
You also want to determine any pitfalls you may run into during this experiment.
It's so easy to quit when something becomes challenging. Therefore, it's important to go through question number four.
In regards to wanting to be able to physically do certain maneuvers, I see a few problems that may arise. One is that I may get frustrated when I don't see results right away. So then I may want to focus on ways to make the process more enjoyable.
Once you've asked and answered the questions around your observation, now you can.....
Why would you do this? What purpose does it serve? Can't I just go into the experiment?
You could.
But hypothesis help us reach a particular target by giving us a focal point.
For example, one person's intention for stretching everyday is to see what stretches give the best results flexibility wise.
Someone else's intention for stretching every day may be to find the flow that will get her excited about stretching.
So one hypothesis could be that short dynamic stretches happening twice a day will give me better results than static stretches done twice a day.
VS
The other person's hypothesis may be that adding a 5 minute music routine will get her in the mood to stretch.
You see the difference? They're doing the same experiment but with different intentions. Therefore, what factors one needs to change in their experiment is vastly different than the factors the other person would change in their's.
Once you've made a hypothesis, you can now go into....
During the experiment you want to takes notes.
Documentation is important as it allows you to see what changes need to be made and what needs to remain in the experiment.
I prefer to use my bullet journal as a means of documenting my progress. Each day that I practice the experiment I take notes on the results of that day.
In any experiment, the goal is not just reaching the outcome but also finding out more about yourself.
"What works for you?" and "what doesn't?"
In the end, you'll find the information you need.
What experiments do you want to try? How do you plan to document your progress? Please share in the comments.
