Small Experiments Trump Strategy
- jenniferhoyer77
- Nov 21
- 3 min read
How many times have you created the perfect health plan, only to abandon it when life got messy? If your answer is "too many to count," I have liberating news: you don't need a perfect plan.
As we approach the New Year and everyone starts planning resolutions, there's a more effective approach. Author Michael Bungay Stanier puts it perfectly: small experiments trump strategy.
Why Perfect Plans Keep You Stuck
We love perfect plans because they feel like control. Mapping out every meal, scheduling workouts, imagining flawless execution - it's satisfying. But then the messy middle arrives. You're tired, stressed, overwhelmed, and suddenly that perfect plan feels impossible.
Here's the truth: there is no perfect plan. The plan is just a framework, not gospel. What you need instead are small, reversible experiments that build capability while you learn what actually works for your body and life.
The Hidden Gift of Failure
Small experiments will fail sometimes - that's the point. They help you build tolerance for failure, one of the most crucial skills for lasting change.
I've failed countless times on my wellness journey. Not catastrophically, but through small failures that taught me everything about my body. It took extensive experimenting to know what works, and I'm still learning as I age.
Most people catastrophize failure. They imagine everything that could go wrong and decide it's too risky to try. But what if failure was just information? Just feedback? That's exactly what experiments provide.
Step One: Strip Away the Drama
Our brains love creating unsolvable problems. I've heard clients say things like "The cookies have power over me" or "My hand has a mind of its own." This drama paralyzes us because these problems feel impossible to fix.
The solution? Get concrete. Strip away drama and ask: What am I really trying to solve?
Instead of: "I don't know why I keep grabbing cake. It's like my hand has a mind of its own."
Try this: "After dinner, I habitually choose cake. I want to replace this with fruit at least four times a week."
Notice the difference? The concrete version is solvable and creates ownership.
Step Two: Break It Into Pieces
Once you identify the real problem, get specific:
• When does it happen?
• What triggers it?
• What obstacles can I control?
If dessert after dinner is your challenge, maybe finishing dinner triggers a habitual sweet craving. The obstacle might be that cookies are easily accessible while fresh fruit isn't. Your leverage point could be changing your environment or introducing healthier alternatives.
My Exercise Experiment
Exercise advice online is overwhelming. Add a husband who works out intensely every day, and I felt confused about what would work for me.
First, I tried exercising daily like him - strenuous activity, high heart rate, all the "shoulds." The result? My appetite skyrocketed, energy plummeted, and I felt worse despite doing more.
So I experimented differently. I scaled back, mixed in lighter movement and more walking, and paid attention to my body's response. The balanced approach made my appetite manageable, kept my energy steady, and made exercise something I looked forward to instead of dreaded.
What worked for someone else didn't work for me. But through small experiments, I discovered my own path - and I'm still experimenting as my body changes.
Your Invitation
True wellness isn't about perfect plans. It's about progress through experimentation. Small steps that keep you moving forward are the most powerful strategy of all.
As you think about the New Year, remember: small experiments trump strategy. You don't need everything figured out. You just need to start experimenting, discover what works for your unique body and life, and keep moving forward.
The magic isn't in the perfect strategy - it's in the messy, imperfect, beautiful process of discovering what works for you.
Ready to start experimenting? Listen to the full episode of Wellness Mastery with Jen Hoyer for more insights on building your unique healthy lifestyle through small, powerful experiments.
Listen to Episode 38: Small Experiments Trump Strategy
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