EP29:Deep Into - Tiny Experiments
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Ever feel like you're drowning in information, you know, just constantly scrolling, reading, listening, but not really getting anywhere. Yeah, like you're on this treadmill of data, but the insights aren't actually sticking. Right. Exactly. Well, that's where we come in. Welcome to the deep dive. Think of it as your shortcut to, well, becoming genuinely well-informed.

You shared what you're curious about, and we've done the heavy lifting, you know. We've gone deep into the source material to bring you the stuff that really matters. Tailored just for you. This time around, we're diving headfirst into a pretty cool concept, tiny experiments. It's a book by Anne-Laure LeComf, hitting shelves on March 4th, 2025.

Published by Penguin Publishing Group, by the way. No, our mission and yours too in the steep dive. To unlock a whole new way of thinking. One that ditches those, you know, rigid plans, encourages you to tap into your curiosity and helps you make some real progress. Through small, super manageable steps. We're going to cover a lot of ground here. From why traditional goal setting can feel like a total drag to the surprising power of sharing what you're learning. And even how to build a life that's

Well, about more than just leaving some dusty old legacy behind. So much to unpack. Where do we even begin? Yeah. I mean, what struck me right off the bat was the author's own story, you know, the backdrop to all these ideas. Right. You see someone who, on the surface, had it all figured out. Successful career at Google. But something was missing. Exactly. There's this growing sense of...

I know, emptiness, like being on a path that while impressive, just wasn't truly fulfilling. It wasn't a sudden aha moment, though, was it? No, more like this gradual awakening, maybe amplified by, well, the author even mentions a health scare. It's like that really made her stop and think, you know, reevaluate her direction. Man, I think that feeling of being on a treadmill, going through the motions, it's something we've all felt at some point, right? Yeah, absolutely.

And what's so cool is that she didn't jump ship and try to create this like huge perfect master plan. No, she didn't. Instead took what many would see as a logical step, the startup world. But as she shares pretty openly, even that didn't quite scratch the itch. It didn't. And it was in that space of, I guess, uncertainty after the startup dust settled that

that things really shifted. That's where the breakthrough happened. She let herself be lost for a bit and, get this, started to truly listen to what actually sparked her curiosity. It led her down this whole new path, neuroscience. And eventually to creating Nest Labs. Through this very deliberate tiny experiment,

writing consistently for a hundred days. A hundred days. Wow. So that's the heart of it, right? You don't need that grand, totally formed strategy right out of the gate. Right. The real magic is embracing the unknown. The unknown. And doing these small, really focused experiments, all driven by genuine curiosity. So it's not about having all the answers right away. It's more about exploring the possibilities, seeing where things lead. I love that.

I love that. Okay, let's dig into this whole pact with curiosity thing. I mean, it's not about becoming a whole new person overnight, right? No, not at all. Right. It's about these like small but consistent promises you make to yourself. Promises. Think of a pact here as...

This commitment but manageable steps, you know? Yeah. To keep that curiosity burning bright. Even when things get... Even when things get uncomfortable. Uncomfortable. Or when you don't have all the answers. It's giving yourself permission to explore. Explore. To ask questions. Yeah. Without freaking out that you need to have it all figured out like...

This second. So no pressure. Can you give us like a real world example of a tiny experiment someone could do as part of this pact? OK, sure. It could be something as simple as, I don't know, how about dedicating 15 minutes a day just for a week to learn about something you've always kind of wondered about? Like maybe pick up a few phrases in a new language or read a couple of articles about some historical event. Yeah. The pact is that consistency, those 15 minutes every day.

The experiment is the exploration itself. Ah, I see. Even if you don't become fluent or a total history buff, you've engaged that curiosity. So I learned something. You might even discover some new interests or figure out how you like to learn best. So it's like this low stakes way of dipping your toes in the water. Exactly. Without that fear of, you know, messing up or failing. Love it.

Now, the book also throws some shade, I guess you could say, at traditional goal setting. It does. What are the author's big beefs with those typical smart goals everyone's always talking about? The main issue, I think, is that life just doesn't follow a straight line. Right. It's messy, unpredictable. But smart goals, they're inherently linear. Linear. Define the outcome, lay out all the steps, and then measure your progress against that preset path. Rigid. Totally.

but when things inevitably go off course which they always do that rigidity can lead to a lot of frustration and even you know inaction the book uses amelia earhart as an example of this doesn't it her path to becoming this iconic pilot wasn't exactly a straight shot to the top no it wasn't and that's what makes her story so interesting it does her journey was full of these twists and turns and well experiments

She didn't start out with some grand plan. Right. She started as a passenger. Then she actively looked for ways to, you know, actually be involved in flying. But at the same time, she was exploring other things, too. Photography, trucking, even fashion design. Wow. I didn't know that about her. It wasn't this laser focus on one specific goal. Right. More like this, I don't know, this openness to new experiences, this underlying curiosity that was guiding her. I see. I see. Which brings us to growth loops.

The book presents them as this, you know, more dynamic alternative to those static linear goals. Okay. So think of traditional goals as, I don't know, like a road. You can get stuck on it, right? How are growth loops different? I like that analogy. Think of growth loops as, hmm, how about a dynamic navigation system? Okay. Instead of setting this fixed destination and a strict route, you're constantly adapting. You try something, a tiny experiment. Then you take a moment to think about what happened.

You learn from the results, whether it was a success or a flop. Interesting. And then you use those insights to inform your next move. It's this ongoing cycle of trying, reflecting, and adjusting. The journey itself becomes just as important as the outcome. Oh, that's cool. It's about seeing uncertainty not as something to avoid, but as this space where new possibilities can emerge. So it's a more flexible approach? Absolutely. Much more adaptable to the, well, the messiness of life.

The messiness. Okay, I got to ask about this tyranny of purpose idea. It's a pretty strong phrase. What's the author getting at there? It's about that pressure we feel to find our one true calling. You know, that singular, all-encompassing purpose. Right. Like we all have to have that one big thing. Exactly. And the problem is this relentless search can actually blind us to other cool opportunities. Detours that might lead to something even better.

It's like you're so focused on finding that one specific treasure chest that you miss all the gems along the way. Perfect analogy. Ron Finley's story in the book is such a great illustration of this. Oh, absolutely. The fashion designer turned gardening activist? His path wasn't this straight line to a predetermined purpose. It wasn't at all. His story started with a simple act. Yeah. Planting food in his neighborhood. Right. Because there wasn't enough access to fresh produce. Right.

And it was born out of frustration, really. Frustration. But this small experiment, it grew into this amazing movement. It did. And he didn't stop being a designer. It's like his life expanded. Expanded. In ways he couldn't have predicted because he allowed himself to follow a new curiosity. Love that. Okay. This ties into the whole cognitive scripts concept. These patterns we have about how life organizes.

or our careers should go. Right. The pre-programmed narratives we often follow without even realizing it. So someone who stays in a job they hate because it's what their family expects, is that an example? Oh yeah, perfect example. Right. That's the crowd pleaser script.

Doing what we think others want from us. Crowd pleaser. The book talks about a few common ones, like the sequel script where you just keep going down the same path even if you're miserable. Yeah. The epic script, this idea that we need one big, all-consuming passion to validate our existence. So much pressure. And while these scripts can be comfortable, familiar, they can also box us in.

Prevent us from writing our own more unique stories. Okay. I'm getting anxiety just thinking about it. Right. So the book suggests this practice of taking field notes to become more aware of these scripts and to identify areas where our true curiosity lies. What does that actually look like, though? It's about observing your own life with this sense of, I don't know, detachment. Detachment. Almost like you're an anthropologist studying your own culture.

You make notes about your thoughts, your energy levels throughout the day, your moods, your interactions. Ooh, interesting. And by reviewing these notes, you can start to see patterns, what energizes you, what drains you, what sparks your curiosity. Those sparks. Then you can see, okay, which scripts am I following?

Where do I want to break free? Break free. I like that. It's about taking control of the narrative. Okay, let's talk about turning those pesky doubts into experiments. Yeah, because we all have them. We do. The key is turning those vague feelings into concrete action. Okay. Instead of letting uncertainty freeze you, you make a pact, that short-term commitment to test things out. In a small way. In a small way. Yeah. The book talks about the hashtag 100 days off code challenge.

The guy who started it, Alexander Callaway, he probably had doubts about his coding skills. Sure. But he didn't just sit there and worry. He made this pact with himself to code every day for 100 days.

A small action, but consistent. And it directly addressed that uncertainty. So the focus shifts from stressing about the end result to just showing up and doing the thing. Exactly. Just taking that small step day after day. So how's this pact different from, say, trying to build a habit or making a New Year's resolution, which, let's be honest, often fail miserably? Well, with habits, you're aiming for something you do indefinitely. But a pact has a clear time frame. It's just for this week or this month.

It can feel less daunting that way. Yeah, less pressure. And unlike those vague New Year's resolutions, PACs are super specific. Specific. You have a clear, repeatable action. Actionable. And the emphasis is on the process of experimenting, not achieving some huge result right away. Got it.

Now, the next thing the book digs into is mindful action, which is different from just being busy and productive, right? Right. It's about being intentional. Intentional. Mindful productivity, bringing presence and focus together.

to what you're doing and making sure it aligns with your values, your priorities. Not just mindless to-do lists. Definitely not. And it's about breaking down those big, scary goals into smaller, more manageable experiments. And a big part of it is reflecting after each experiment. Reflecting. What did you learn? What surprised you? What would you tweak next time? So even those so-called failures are valuable. Absolutely. They're data points. They help you learn and adjust. Okay.

Okay, so this leads into a really interesting idea. Cultivating a deeper sense of time. The book talks about moving beyond just chronos, that clock time, to kairos, this more meaningful qualitative time. Right. Think of chronos as those numbers on your watch. Yeah. Tick, tick, tick. Okay, got it. So what's kairos then? It's about those moments that feel...

I don't know, richer, more significant. A conversation that just flies by, getting totally lost in a creative project. You lose track of time. Exactly. If we only focus on Kronos, always trying to squeeze every last drop of productivity out of each minute, we end up burnt out. Burnt out. Disconnected from what truly matters. The book uses this great example of oyster harvesting. Oyster harvesting. Can't force the tide, right? It's about understanding natural rhythms.

There are times when you're naturally more focused, more energized. Those magic windows. I remember that. And tapping into those, focusing on one thing at a time, that's how you tap into that Kairos quality. Oh, that makes sense. The book also suggests creating these little Kairos rituals, small intentional habits that help you ground yourself in the present moment.

Okay, I'm intrigued. Now let's talk procrastination. Ooh, everyone's favorite topic. Right. But the book reframes it in a really interesting way. It does. Suggesting it's not just laziness, but a form of communication. Communication. Like our inner selves are trying to tell us something. Interesting. It introduces this triple check attitude.

framework for figuring out what's behind our procrastination. Triple check. Okay, break that down for me. So first, you look at the head. The head. Does this task actually align with your goals, your values? Do you even understand why you're doing it? Makes sense. Then you check the heart. The heart. Are you actually excited about it, passionate, or are you just going through the motions? I've been there. And lastly, you look at the hand.

The hand. Do you have the skills, the resources you need to actually do the thing? Ooh, good point. By going through those checks, you can start to understand why you're avoiding something. That's like a diagnosis. It is. Sometimes, you know, maybe the task just doesn't fit into your bigger picture anymore. Yeah. Or maybe you're not motivated. Or maybe you just need some more prep work. Prep work. And in some cases, procrastination might even be telling you it's time for a bigger change. Ooh, a big change. A career shift.

a relationship change, who knows? The chapter on intentional imperfection really got me thinking. That's a good one. It pushes back against this constant pressure to be perfect, you know? Oh yeah. In everything we do. The book makes this great point that striving for flawless results can actually hold us back. Hold us back.

How so? It can lead to this analysis paralysis. We're so afraid of making a mistake that we don't do anything at all. Oh, I feel that. Right. Intentional imperfection is about choosing where to focus your energy, accepting that you can't be perfect at everything. Yeah, we're not superhuman. Exactly. There's this great example of Shonda Rhimes, the TV writer and producer. She talks openly about not trying to perfectly balance every aspect of her life. Oh, I love her work. She gets it.

The book also talks about the Italian dolce vita concept and this idea of strategic mediocrity coined by Ben Trotsky. Strategic mediocrity. What's that? It's about prioritizing long term consistency over those fleeting moments of

You know, impossible perfection. Ah, sustainability. Exactly. And the Japanese art of Kintsugi, repairing broken pottery with gold, is such a beautiful metaphor for this. It is. Finding beauty in our imperfections, our flaws. Makes those flaws part of the story.

OK, so this idea of embracing imperfection ties into growth through iteration and reflection, which brings us back to those growth loops. It all comes full circle. How does reflection fuel those ongoing cycles of experimentation? Reflection is the key. It's about intentionally taking time to step back after an experiment.

Big or small. And asking yourself some questions. Like what? What actually happened? What worked well? What didn't? What surprised me? And what can you learn from it all? Exactly. The good, the bad, and the unexpected. The book mentions Eli Kipchoge, the marathon runner. He keeps this detailed training diary where he analyzes his performance, constantly making adjustments. Wow. So he's always iterating. Always. He's a master of reflection.

And the book gives you a really simple tool to try. Plus minus next. Plus minus next. I like that. What went well, what could have been better, and what will you try next time? It emphasizes that even those good mistakes, the ones that teach you something, are valuable. Good mistakes. I like that reframing. It's all about the learning.

Okay, so we've experimented, we've reflected. Now what? We have to decide what to do next. Keep going, pause, or make a change. How does the book help us make those sometimes tough choices? Well, it emphasizes that we shouldn't just automatically scale up whatever worked. Right, right. We need to pause and recalibrate.

Sometimes persistence is key, especially if you're seeing positive results and learning along the way, like someone sticking to a meditation pack and feeling the benefits. OK, yeah. But what about when things aren't working? The book makes it clear that pausing isn't failure. It's strategic.

It's about stepping back, reassessing, maybe conserving your energy for something else. Ah, so it's about being adaptable. Exactly. Like that YouTuber who paused their channel to rethink their content. They weren't quitting, just adapting. Adapting. And what about pivoting? Pivoting is making bigger changes based on feedback and, well, just how things are evolving. So like...

Tweaks to the experiment. Yeah, like the Nest Labs newsletter changing its format based on what readers responded to. Interesting. The key is to listen to both external signals, what's happening around you, and internal signals, your own gut feeling, your energy levels. The book even suggests creating a steering sheet to help you make those decisions. Steering sheet. Got it.

So how do we dance with disruption, as the book puts it? It's such a cool way to frame those unexpected challenges. We all face them. We do. It's not about avoiding them, but how we choose to engage with them. The book reminds us not to automatically label disruptions as good or bad.

It uses that classic story of the farmer and his horse. Whoa, yeah, yeah. What seems like bad luck. Can turn out to be a blessing in disguise. Michael Singer's story is another great example of this. His life was full of unexpected twists and turns, but he always found a way to bounce back. Resilience. And active acceptance is key.

It's about staying curious, staying open to whatever possibilities might emerge. Possibilities. The book suggests a two-step process for dealing with disruptions. Okay, I'm listening. First, process the emotions. Acknowledge how you're feeling. I'm frustrated. I'm anxious. Just naming those emotions can be really powerful. Yeah, it's like getting them out in the open. Then tackle the practical stuff.

Figure out what you need to do to move forward. Like that web developer, Pierre, who had to adapt his business when things got tough. So it's about being proactive. So this whole idea of impact, it doesn't have to be some huge world-changing thing. Right, at all. It can start small. The book really emphasizes that lasting impact comes from those small, consistent actions that add up over time. Those tiny experiments. Exactly. It's about growing with the world.

adapting your efforts as things change. You don't need a massive plan to make a difference. That's encouraging. Just take those consistent steps, guided by curiosity and reflection. You'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

Okay, I'm sold. Now social flow. That sounds pretty cool. That feeling of being totally in the zone with a group of people. It's like magic. When everyone's firing on all cylinders, ideas are flowing, and you lose track of time. Yeah, yeah, that feeling. And collective curiosity is a big part of it. How so? It creates this environment where people feel safe.

to share ideas, to build on each other's thoughts, to explore together. Ah, so it's about that shared energy. Exactly. Think about the Impressionist movement or those lively discussions at the Algonquin Roundtable. Shared curiosity fueled those creative explosions. And research actually shows that flow states are easier to achieve in groups. It's that synergy.

So how can we unlock this in our own lives? Yeah, how do we cultivate that social flow? The book suggests being intentional about the people you surround yourself with. Intentional? Cultivate a curiosity circle.

of people who inspire you, challenge you, spark your own curiosity. The curiosity circle. Love that. And get involved in communities, whether it's mentoring, elaborating on projects, or just having great conversations. Contributing. And you can even start your own community. Whoa, really? Bring together people who are curious. Create a space where experimentation is encouraged. That's so cool. The chapter on learning in public really resonated with me. It's a powerful concept.

It's about sharing your journey as you go, not just the polished final product. Exactly. The wins, the losses, the lessons learned. So what's the big benefit of that kind of openness? Well, it can seriously accelerate your learning. Accelerate. You're tapping into this collective intelligence. You're getting feedback along the way, course correction. Makes sense. The book contrast Galileo, who was very secretive about his work.

With Kim Gowers, a mathematician who openly shared his problem-solving process. And who was more successful. Gowers made huge strides because of that openness. And there's this story of a guy named KP who built his whole career by sharing his coding journey online. So it's about building that community. And accountability. You're more likely to stick with something if you shared it publicly. Yeah, that makes sense. But it's scary, right, putting yourself out there? Of course.

But the rewards can be huge. So how do we get over that fear? Start small. Make a public pledge. Pick a platform that feels comfortable. And just start sharing, bit by bit. Iterate as you go. Exactly. Be open to feedback and adjust as you learn.

Okay, last but not least, let's talk about the idea of a generative life. It's a shift from that traditional kind of rigid legacy mindset, right? Right. It's not about what you leave behind at the very end. Right. It's more about what you're doing right now. Exactly. It's about engaging in acts of creation, making a positive impact in the present moment. So what does that look like in practice? Well, the book gives some cool examples of people with, you know, nonlinear career paths, Giorgio Armani, even Pope Francis, right?

Life isn't always a straight ladder climb. Yeah, there are twists and turns. Then there's Ben Tossall, who built this incredible career by following his curiosity.

He's always building new things, making a real impact. So generativity is about using your growth to positively influence others right now. Right here, right now. I love that. So any practical tips for living this kind of life? The book gives a few. Focus on doing the work, not just planning. Action over overthinking. Yes.

Cultivate the diverse set of skills and interests. Grow those lateral roots. Don't be afraid to branch out. Exactly. And prioritize the impact you're making, not just how things look from the outside. Substance over image. Okay, I'm taking notes here. And don't forget to have fun. Embrace playfulness throughout the journey. It's about recognizing that life is this ongoing experiment. An experiment. We're all in this together, discovering, creating, contributing. I love that.

So wrapping things up, it's clear that Tiny Experiments offers a really powerful philosophy for navigating this crazy thing called life. It's about embracing uncertainty, tapping into your curiosity, taking action, and remembering that your path isn't a straight line. We've covered so much ground, from

From letting go of limiting beliefs to the power of reflection to the importance of connecting with others, it's been quite a deep dive. It has. And what's so amazing is how these small shifts in perspective, these tiny actions, can lead to such profound growth. It's about reframing challenges, seeing the beauty in our imperfections, and valuing every step of the journey.

Now, as you go out into the world, we have a question for you. What's one small, maybe unexpected question you could start exploring in your own life today? Something that sparks your curiosity. Something that makes you want to experiment. We encourage you to check out Anne-Laure LeCompte's book, Tiny Experiments, for even more insights. It's full of great stuff. And thanks for joining us on this deep dive. We'll see you next time.