Sometimes you can think you know exactly what you want, but actually experiencing it tells you something completely different. In backpacking, a shakedown gives you a chance to test your gear on a shorter trip before heading out on a bigger adventure. I love that idea because we do the same thing in everyday life, whether we realize it or not. I have test driven cars that looked great on paper, but felt completely wrong once I got behind the wheel, and my first trip hauling horses across the country taught me very quickly that leggings and sneakers were not nearly as practical as denim and cowboy boots. The experience gave me information I could use the next time around.
There are so many areas of our lives where giving something a trial run can help us figure out what actually fits. It might be a career, a neighborhood, a relationship, a subscription, or even where we set up a desk. Sometimes we just have to try something and see what happens. Maybe it works exactly the way we hoped, or maybe we realize pretty quickly that it is not for us. Either way, we learn something, and we can use that information to decide what comes next. On today's Wise Walk, we talk about where a test drive might help us figure out what fits, what doesn't, and what we want to choose from here.
- Is there an area of your life that would benefit from a shakedown or a test run to see if it truly aligns with you?
- How does that experience fit and feel for you right now?
- What feels good, what feels off, and what can you do with that information?
- Is there anything missing from the experience that would help you feel more prepared and avoid regrets later?
- When was the last time you were excited about something but realized, once you were in the experience, that you did not know what you did not know?
- Have you ever wished you had tried something on a smaller scale first so you could better understand what to expect and prepare accordingly?
- Is there something you are interested in experiencing or taking on that you could test in a smaller, lower-commitment way first?
- Do you give yourself opportunities to take something for a test drive before fully jumping into the deep end?
Can you look at the many things that you're juggling in your life right now, get curious, and give them a little bit of a shakedown? Can you try them on for size or give them a test run? Can you give yourself the space and grace to try it on for fit, feel, and no regrets before you fully commit?
As always, I would love to hear what you took away from today's episode. Feel free to reach out and share whatever areas of your life you are testing out for fit, feel, and no regrets. Please join us for another Wise Walk next Thursday.
In this episode:
- [02:43] When I think of a test drive, I think of taking cars for a test drive. Things can look good on paper and make logical sense, but you don't know until you've taken it for a test drive.
- [04:42] We can apply the test drive concept in any area of our lives.
- [05:22] I tried many neighborhoods on for size when I was thinking about moving.
- [06:20] I'm evaluating my closet and clothes to see what's a good fit. How does it feel? How does it fit? Is there a real life application for this?
- [08:18] Denim is definitely the best outfit for farm work.
- [11:39] When I was promoting my coaching service, I used the initial call as a two-way opportunity for the client to get to know me and for me to get to know them.
- [12:45] Am I doing this out of enjoyment or am I doing this out of obligation?
- [13:53] I share my friend's online dating systematic approach. After messaging, then he has a call. If the call doesn't go well, he doesn't move forward.
Memorable Quotes:
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- "Anytime we are open to this idea of doing a shakedown with a certain area of our life, we're just gaining information." - Mary Tess
- "We are trying things on for size. We are giving that experiential test for fit, for feeling, for no regrets." - Mary Tess
- "We can take career aspirations for test runs. We can take activities and interests for test runs. We can take vacations for test runs." - Mary Tess
- "We are not locked into anything. We always have permission to choose again. It is ours to choose again." - Mary Tess
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