“The only way you improve is to try new things.” – Charles Koch
Every time you want to try something new, there’s a voice in your head that tells you to think it over.
The thrill of experimenting gets pulled back by your discipline to stick with something long enough to see it through.
On one side, exploration fills you with curiosity excitement and possibility. And on the other hand, persistence grounds you, builds your resilience and nurtures excellence.
Both are essential and can’t be ignored. Truth is, growth comes from finding a balance between these two aspects of your life.
There’re so many things you want to try. But constantly jumping from one thing to another will leave you scattered, unable to get your act together.
While refusing to let go of something that isn’t working, drains you of time and energy.
You don’t have to choose. You’ve to walk the tight rope and balance. That’s life.
Why Exploration Matters
It’s exploration that keeps the spark glowing. It ignites creativity, prevents stagnation and leads you to opportunities you never knew existed.
Have you seen how children dabble fearlessly in different activities simultaneously? Be it football, painting or music. They may not excel at each of them but the experience becomes a learning experience.
It adds richness to their lives, teaches them about what they like (or don’t), shapes their thinking, and finally builds their confidence to connect with the world, while they’re still exploring.
When I started out online, I remember experimenting with different forms of writing – ebooks, blogs, client work, and even creating educational materials.
In retrospect, it looks scattered, like I didn’t know what I was doing (and honestly, I didn’t). A total waste of time, that’s how it appeared.
But for me it was experimenting. How would I know what’s out there, what would click? Each exploration gave me further insight into me and my capabilities.
Today, I’ve uncovered skills I didn’t know existed, have acquired new ones and, most importantly, have learned to combine them to get the most satisfying results.
What seemed like mindless detours helped me expand my voice and perspective. Had I stuck with my old knowledge and restricted skill set, this growth was in no way happening.
Look at history for example. Leonardo da Vinci was not just a painter; he was an engineer, scientist and an innovator. His explorations fuelled his genius.
Neither me nor you are da Vinci. But the explorer is there within us. Trying something new has the power to open doors you’d never find by simply staying the course.
How Persistence Helps
But exploration without persistence is a waste of time and energy.
You dabble in everything yet master nothing, ending up with little to show for all your effort.
Persistence provides depth. It enables you to stay with something long enough to gain skill, resilience and, ultimately, fulfilment.
I know from experience. Had I kept to exploring, all I’d have to show would be countless drafts and a bad back. That daily habit of sitting down to write and then daring to publish has led to vague ideas turning into blogs, books and teaching materials.
JK Rowling’s story is a real world example of persistence. Imagine had she given up after years of rejections, we wouldn’t have Harry Potter. Totally unimaginable!
Or those who practice for marathons. They spend months enduring gruelling training sessions before they can reach that finish line.
In short, it’s persistence which transforms your lofty ideas into reality, thoughts into meaningful results.
Practical Strategies for Striking the Balance
Seen the see-saw in the park? Well, that’s how you’ve to balance exploration and persistence to get the results you desire.
Going overboard with the exploration bit will lead to constant switching (be it hobbies, jobs, or ideas), with superficial experience and no depth. Jack of all trades, master of none.
Persisting with something, like a wrong career, project or relationship, just because you’re ‘committed’, will definitely lead to burnout and missed opportunities.
Finding that sweet spot between exploration and persistence is an intentional choice.
Here’s how you can strike that balance:
- The 70-20-10 Rule
Dedicate 70% of your time to work persistently on what you’ve chosen, 20% to exploring related activities, and the balance 10% on something completely new. This way, you get to master the current skill while also exploring new ones.
- Experiment in Small Doses
Don’t just quit your job, hop on a trailer and go explore the world. What if you don’t like living in the trailer? Try new things in small samples to see how you take to it, without jeopardising your present situation.
- Set Time Frames
When exploring, give yourself some time, say 6 months, before you decide to discontinue. Give time for the novelty to wear off, or for you to get a hang of it. This protects you from taking hasty decisions either way.
- Anchor Exploration to Values
Whatever you want to explore, let it align with your interests. Going radical will seem exciting initially but in the long run may not be palatable. Random explorations must’ve some value and purpose in the larger scheme of things.
Finally, Growth That Lasts
Before you set off on the path of exploration and persistence, ask yourself some hard questions:
- What area of your life could use more exploration?
- Where do you need to stay the course and persist?
- Are you quitting too soon out of fear? Or holding on too long out of stubbornness?
It gives you a clearer perspective about the way ahead. This tango between exploration and persistence is not for everyone. But it’s worth learning and mastering.
Exploration fuels your curiosity, and persistence builds depth. One without the other is shallow and incomplete.
But together they create an exciting path for sustainable growth and fulfilment through resilience.
So roll up your sleeves and prepare yourself to try something new. Don’t let the difficulty scare you away from trying.
A meaningful life is about finding the rhythm that allows for both to move in sync.
