Hello world! A Tiny Experiment.

I’m starting this project as a Tiny Experiment - a direct result of reading "Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World" by Anne-Laure Le Cunff. I like the idea of shifting from rigid plans to a more playful, experimental mindset and decided to give it a try. To make this experiment stick, I’ve designed a PACT: I will write a minimum of one blog post every week for the next 3 months, and this is the very first one.

This book is a guide to breaking free from the "linear life" trap - the idea that success only comes from climbing predefined ladders with predictable milestones. Instead of following a rigid roadmap, it suggests treating life like a laboratory for self-discovery.

The argument is that traditional goal-setting is often broken because it assumes a stable, controlled environment, which is far from what life really is. Linear goals often lead to fear of failure, toxic productivity, and a paralyzing need for certainty.

The alternative is the experimental mindset, which involves some major mental shifts:

• Moving from reacting to uncertainty with anxiety and fight-or-flight to reacting with curiosity and engagement
• Replacing a straight-line path of milestones with iterative cycles of trial, reflection, and adjustment
• Shifting focus from a fixed end-destination (like "write a book") to the unfolding path of systematic experimentation (like "write five pages every week")

The PACT Framework

To turn these ideas into action, the author introduces the PACT as a replacement for traditional SMART goals. While SMART goals focus on outcomes you can't always control, a PACT focuses on your outputs. A successful PACT is:

• Purposeful: It aligns with your internal curiosity rather than external expectations
• Actionable: It is something you can do right now with current resources
• Continuous: It is a simple, repeatable action (daily, weekly, etc.)
• Trackable: It is monitored by a simple "yes/no" on whether you showed up

Mindful Productivity and Learning in Public

The author also challenges how we view time. It encourages a shift from Chronos (quantitative time management/counting minutes) to Kairos (qualitative time/the quality of the moment). This approach to mindful productivity emphasizes managing your energy and attention rather than just your schedule.

Finally, there's the idea of learning in public. Rather than waiting to become an "expert" behind closed doors, you are encouraged to share your process, mistakes, and half-baked ideas openly. This creates a growth loop, where early feedback and collective curiosity help you grow faster than you could alone.

Essentially, the book suggests that success isn't about reaching a finish line; it’s the lifelong experiment of discovering what makes you feel most alive.