Life Is Nothing but an Experiment
Test Your Own Hypothesis
Welcome to the YouTopian Journey. Each week I will be sharing unique wisdom that can help you in the daily battles that we must all fight in the game of life. This week we discuss why you must partake in the experiment that is life!
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A VERY SPECIAL NOTE
Before we start, I am pleased to announce that YouTopian Journey was selected as a Substack Featured Publication for 2022 and has since been featured on the Substack homepage and APP, a truly humbling experience and an honor.
This wouldn’t have been possible without you reading, sharing, liking, commenting, tweeting, and of course, subscribing. I appreciate each and every one of you being here for the journey, which hasn’t been easy by any means. This is why this week’s topic will delve into the specifics of YouTopian Journey experiment. It is my hope that you can learn from my experiences and apply the lessons to your own experiments.
If you are just discovering YouTopian Journey for the first time, I hope you enjoy the content.
Now onto the good stuff!
THE EXPERIMENT THAT IS LIFE
“Historically some of the most prosperous societies – Ancient Athens, Renaissance Italy, nineteenth-century Britain – were among those that were most oriented towards experimentation and the taking of risks.”-Frank Furedi, How Fear Works
Life is many things and it is different to each individual. To some it’s fun, others it’s serious, and it’s difficult for all. But many forget that life is nothing more than an experiment and it is up to you to test the hypothesis that is given to you.
This can be a frightening thing.
Why?
Because we have been conditioned to accept victory and defeat. We are raised in a society of success and failure. We are programmed to accept these two extremes, never once finding the middle ground where we can make bold and lifechanging discoveries. The result is that many people won’t make any attempts unless the chance for success and victory is high. They leave many experiences on the wayside, experiences which could be life altering in ways that they cannot even begin to fathom.
This is the height of foolishness. One cannot discover their capabilities and uncover their potentialities without experimenting. We must make attempts, take on challenges, and explore ourselves. However, this is daunting for the multitude because of the shroud of uncertainty that surrounds these experiments. Our minds fill with questions, many of which we shudder to truthfully answer.
What if I fail?
What if I get hurt?
What will they think of me?
What if it doesn’t work?
What if I lose?
What if I miss out on something better?
You must put these questions aside and go forward. You must make your way past your own hesitations as well as the thoughts of your friends and peers, who may doubt your path. You must move while others stand still, wondering the point of all of your actions. Pay them no attention.
“To scoff at the dreamer is to prove oneself a dolt in the psychology of efficiency. While Newton was mulating for the discovery of the law of gravitation, the neighbors deplored his folly in thus wasting his time.”-Edward E. Purinton, Efficient Living.
Making one experiment at a time, testing one hypothesis after another. Yes, you may have a misstep or two. Yes, you may fail. But ultimately, constant testing and tinkering leads to breakthroughs. These breakthroughs can transform your life in ways that you never thought possible.
Why?
Because YouTopian Journey was an experiment. It was an experiment to see if people would resonate with what I had to say. It was an experiment to understand if custom drawn art work could get people to identify with feelings that many have deep within them. It was an experiment to see if people would subscribe to a newsletter and take the time to read it in a world that is filled with distractions and options. This is enough to frighten even the most confident creatives among us. Yet, I pressed ahead.
I experimented with different topics, making note of what worked and didn’t.
I experimented with marketing, stepping out of my comfort zone to delve into the world of social media, a place that I truly do not care for.
I experimented with different ideas and art styles, until I found the theme that would bring my vision to life.
I experimented with different avenues of learning, constantly researching and writing until I developed my own unique format and style, something that I can truly call my own.
The experiment continues. It never ends. And we must accept that. We must accept that no conclusion is final and that our experiments must be flexible, constantly changing with the times.
Above all, we must not give into the anxiety that we may feel when trying out new things. We must be bold when going forward, knowing that we are not responsible to some lab partner or overseer, but only to ourselves. Our experiments can and will change your life, but only if you partake in them.
“Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson
DON’T FEAR THE RESULTS
“He who fears suffering already suffers from his fear.”-Michel de Montaigne
In life, many people fear the prospect of failure. After all, when working toward something, one has probably boasted and updated their progress on social media for the world to see. Everyone is expecting something grand. Yet when it comes time to deliver on all that work and that work ends up resulting in failure, they become crippled. Some are so distraught and beaten by their failures that they never make another attempt at anything again, despite how close they may have been to success. You cannot make this mistake.
When you look at life as an experiment, you must work as a scientist would. You are testing a hypothesis in a setting. If it doesn’t work, you make a note and then test another. You constantly are moving on, testing this and that, recording the results. The failures are minor in the grand scheme of things.
And there will be failures, both small and large. You will flip the switch and nothing will happen. You will see your work explode in front of your eyes. You will face criticism and rejection. Worst of all, you may face no responses at all, which for many is a terrible fate.
And you must keep going as these aren’t failures, but simply tests that you can use to benefit yourself.
“I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”-Thomas Edison
Above all, you must come to understand that this is a learning process. You discover through your own efforts what resonates and what doesn’t. You begin to see patterns. You look for solutions that you never thought possible. You understand that small setbacks pave the way for giant leaps forward. This can only be done in the face of constant experimentation. Only through setbacks can you learn, grow, and ultimately find a method that works for you and your work.
“Learning is the only thing the mind never fears, never exhausts, and never regrets.”-Leonardo Da Vinci
TODAY IS A GOOD DAY TO EXPERIMENT
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.”-Henry Ford
Don’t wait to begin.
Today is a good day to experiment. It is a good day to research. To dive into a subject that has been of interest to you but that you have been putting off. It is a good day to stop with excuses and to start!
Because time is finite and limited. One excuse leads to another and suddenly, you are miles behind from where you should be. Instead of climbing that mountain, you are stuck in the mud and mire of delay.
I started the YouTopian Journey Substack in February 2021. I don’t believe in regrets but I do wish I had started earlier. I had known of Substack for at least a year. I had a surplus of written content that was ready to go. I had art that was drawn, colored, and completed. I had a list of almost 200 people who would be the first subscribers. Everything was ready.
Everything but me.
Something was preventing me from starting the process, from taking the first step, uttering the first word, and promoting the idea.
Why did I wait?
Because just like you, I was plagued with worries and anxieties. I didn’t know if it could work. I didn’t know if I could deliver. The thought of undertaking such an experiment was difficult, especially as I had never blogged or written a newsletter before. There were so many others who had a head start, so many others who already had thousands of subscribers and tons of content. It was daunting.
But I overcame these feelings and went forward. The experiment had to begin. Just like how you must begin your experiment.
“If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.”-Francis Bacon
Don’t waste another day in hesitation. Too much time has already been lost.
Don’t complain that you should have started sooner. Most never start at all.
Don’t be hard on yourself for arriving late to the party, as the majority never leave the warmth and safety of their comfort zone.
Above all, don’t let others deter you. Don’t fall into their traps and don’t play their games.
You are better than that. You are more than that. You are capable of anything.
Start that newsletter.
Create that blog.
Launch that product.
Found that company.
Do something that you have no business doing and see where it leads.
This is your life. Your experiment. Go out there and make it a good one.
“Now is the time to get serious about living your ideals. How long can you afford to put off who you really want to be? Your nobler self cannot wait any longer. Put your principles into practice – now. Stop the excuses and the procrastination. This is your life! You aren’t a child anymore. The sooner you set yourself to your spiritual program, the happier you will be. The longer you wait, the more you’ll be vulnerable to mediocrity and feel filled with shame and regret, because you know you are capable of better. From this instant on, vow to stop disappointing yourself. Separate yourself from the mob. Decide to be extraordinary and do what you need to do – now.”-Epictetus, The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness and Effectiveness
IN OTHER NEWS
I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Valorie Clark of Collected Rejections, where we talked about the role rejection has played in my life and why you must move past rejections to create the work you want to see. Here is a snippet below:
Tell us about a time you experienced rejection.
Just one time? Life is nothing but a series of rejections so we must strengthen ourselves to get used to it. Anytime you are going to make an attempt at something that is worthy, you will face rejection. The key is not to be broken by it. I have been rejected by investors, game shows, film producers, publishing houses, schools, etc. But I keep going as I know that rejections are stepping stones to success.
You can read the rest by clicking below.
ONE LAST THING
None of this would be possible without help from subscribers like you. If you know someone who could benefit from this issue, please share it. We need forward thinking and courageous individuals who can put their creativity to use and benefit not only their peers, but society at large.
If you enjoyed this issue, please subscribe. Every subscription helps the community grow and gives me, as a creator, a chance to help you become mentally stronger and more confident through my work.
There is a lot of cool stuff on the horizon. If you want to be involved and help the community grow, drop me a comment. You can also comment on what you thought of the issue. It truly makes me happy to see how my work is motivating, inspiring, and helping you in your endeavors.
You can connect with YouTopian Journey further at:
I’m Shaun Gold and if you are reading this, you are already on your journey. Catch you next week.
This is exactly what I needed to read today. It gives me hope and strength. Thank you for your words of affirmation, and your talent.
Another Fantastic post, just when I needed it