Did you know 90% of drugs never hit the market?
Think about it.
For every successful drug, there are hundreds of failed experiments and trials.
These failures are hidden in research labs, and some scientists might never see their experiments succeed commercially.
Why share this?
It’s an excellent way to think about your health.
The health journey is about experimenting, tweaking, and learning.
Most of your attempts to build a routine will fail.
(Sorry, but it’s true)
How to Make Your Experiments Less Random
Start with a guess on what will work for you.
It’s called a “hypothesis” in science.
For example, it’s a statement like:
“My theory is that if I work out first thing in the morning, I’m less likely to skip my workouts.”
Consider the following:
- What outcome are you hoping to achieve?
- What are the key activities for testing this?
- How will you track your progress and results?
- How long until you decide if the experiment worked?
Having a clear goal will help you design a more effective experiment.
Why You HAVE to Track some Data
This step is crucial.
You need to track something.
It doesn’t need to be a complicated log.
If you note every single data point (like sleep, calories, exercise time), you will lose motivation fast.
Can it be a simple yes or no?
Continuing from above, if our hypothesis is:
“My theory is that if I work out first thing in the morning, I’m less likely to skip my workouts.”
All I have to do is answer:
“Did I workout first thing in the morning? Yes or No?”
Include any subjective measure you want as a bonus:
Why couldn’t I work out?”
or
“What worked well for me?”
The simpler it is, the more likely you are to doit.
What is the Best Place to Keep Track of Your Experiments?
Focus on the tools and apps you use regularly.
Avoid downloading a new app, as the interest may fade quickly.
If you’re a frequent Google Docs user, create a document to log your experiments.
If you always use Apple Notes, jot down your health experiment log in Apple Notes.
Integrate tracking into your existing habits and routines.
How to Bounce Back When Your Experiments Fail
Many of these experiments will not work out.
That’s fine.
Don’t be afraid to abandon experiments that aren’t working and try something new.
Don’t get discouraged by unsuccessful experiments. They’re valuable data points that bring you closer to understanding what works best for you.
Embrace the idea that health is a lifelong journey.
Celebrate small wins and progress.
Surround yourself with others who share your experimenter’s mindset.
Having a supportive community for encouragement and accountability makes a huge difference in staying motivated.
Remember: Small Experiments, Big Breakthroughs
Yes. Easier said than done.
Take heart! You are not alone.
Unlocking breakthroughs in your health and well-being starts with trying new things, tracking results, and iterating based on what you learn.
Embracing an experimenter’s mindset opens up exciting possibilities for optimizing how you feel and perform.
Start small, stay curious, and never stop experimenting on your path to improvement.
With this approach, you’ll transform your health one insight at a time.