If this was a science experiment, what would you do differently?

My sisters and I had a funny text exchange yesterday about our various diet and exercise routines—or lack thereof. We were laughing at ourselves and each other (as we often do). The common thread? From fitness to food to finances, we’re all doing ALL the things… at once.

For example, if we were to spend the day together, you’d see me eating (and rationalizing) like a vegan, Keto, low carb, low fat, 7-year-old hiding behind all the shoes in closet with a pillowcase full of stale Halloween candy. You’d have no idea what food regime I intended to follow.

Let’s just say I change my mind. Often.

I’m very comfortable planning, then completing abandoning that plan based my mood, fleeting thoughts, something I read, or something someone said worked their distant relative that I don’t even know. Just last week, I decided to start drinking a ton of water because I saw some really fit guy at the gym lugging around a gallon jug. I didn’t even bother to ask him about it!

Now none of this is “bad” but is counterproductive and confusing because I don’t know what works and because of that I keep switching it up.

We’re fortunate to have options and information but those options and that information works against us when we try to apply it all at once. It’s exhausting and leads to the feeling that “nothing works” because “everything” isn’t working either.

So if you’re in this swirl too—maybe with food, exercise, money, next steps in your career, anything- join me in asking yourself this question:

If this was a science experiment, what would I do differently?

I didn’t actually know so I had to google “the scientific method…FOR KIDS”. (I mean seriously. I just need the basics. I’m not applying to NASA.)

Here’s what I found.

1.       Ask a question

2.       Form a hypothesis

3.       Experiment

4.       Observe and record

5.       Draw conclusions

6.       Share findings

The core idea is to limit your variables, test, see what happens, tweak your plan, then test something else.

Back to my example about food… the question I’m asking is: what eating plan makes me feel the most energetic?

I now need to work through the rest of the questions and reduce the number of things I’m trying. My hypothesis is that streamlining my approach will result in better information about what works and doesn’t. I’m hoping for the added bonus of greater confidence in my choices. I want to stop the day-to-day second guessing.

Where might you narrow your options to get a bit more scientific?

If you’re open to sharing any findings, I’m here! Curious to hear how it goes.