This resonated, a lot - my career has been a lot of haphazard collecting of dots, only to connect them later and realise they've given me more opportunities than I could've imagined. I don't think I would have had the courage (or even language) when I was younger to say to my peers (and parents!) I was optimising for discovery, but I'm a huge advocate for it now.
Great overview, Lucy! So much of how I have moved through the world has been through experimentation - not as structured as you - but experimentation all the same. The critical component for me was clearly understanding what 'core income' I needed in order to feel 'in control'. I worked on securing this first and then conducted micro experiments on the side, until one day of all those 'disconnected interests / skills' came together (I let the niche find me vs. other way around).
In your experience, what stops people from conducting experiments? Is it the fact that we have been sold the 'straight line' to success model?
This resonated, a lot - my career has been a lot of haphazard collecting of dots, only to connect them later and realise they've given me more opportunities than I could've imagined. I don't think I would have had the courage (or even language) when I was younger to say to my peers (and parents!) I was optimising for discovery, but I'm a huge advocate for it now.
Great overview, Lucy! So much of how I have moved through the world has been through experimentation - not as structured as you - but experimentation all the same. The critical component for me was clearly understanding what 'core income' I needed in order to feel 'in control'. I worked on securing this first and then conducted micro experiments on the side, until one day of all those 'disconnected interests / skills' came together (I let the niche find me vs. other way around).
In your experience, what stops people from conducting experiments? Is it the fact that we have been sold the 'straight line' to success model?