From Think, Try, Learn: A scientific method for discovering happiness

Welcome!

Think, Try, Learn is based on the simple idea that we can apply the methods of science to being happier, more engaged, and feeling more alive.

By treating everything you do as an experiment, you'll tap your natural curiosity and love of learning to welcome change, master uncertainty and live with more confidence and resilience. The TTL method applies to all of life - business, careers, problems, and relationships.

The next time you have a big project at work, go on a blind date, move to a new house, try a parenting technique, or just want to make more friends, remember TTL, and learn how to enjoy the journey.

To jump right in, head over to Edison, the TTL Experimenter's Journal. Browse the amazing things others are doing, create an experiment of your own, and start trying this new way of living. Or just read on to learn a little more.

How It Works

Step 1: Think. Next time you approach something new, think of it as an experiment. Be curious, with a healthy sense of detachment. A scientist would say "I don't know, let's see what happens," and so can you!

Step 2: Try. Decide what you will try in your experiment. Challenge yourself to do something you might not have done before. Think about how will you measure success. How will you enjoy the journey in addition to the outcome?

Step 3: Learn. Observe what happens and learn from it. The final outcome might be different from your measurement of success. Expect to be surprised.

Here is an example:

Step: 1: (Think) You are going to a party and only know a few people. So you will try talking to three new partygoers.

Step 2: (Try) You will try only asking questions, and steering the conversation back to the other person. You will be Sherlock Holmes - curious dectective in search of each person's passion (everyone has one).

Step 3: (Learn) Were people willing to answer any questions? Were you able to engage people? Did you find you were surrounded all night? Was it hard to think of questions?

Getting Started

Trying something new on a regular basis is healthy. It knocks us out of stale patterns, gets us interacting with our world, and connects us to the people, places, and events that define our lives. This helps to bring us back to the moment - that place where living happens.

Join us! The lab of life starts over at Edison, the TTL Experimenter's Journal. Browse the amazing things others are doing, create an experiment of your own, and start trying this new way of living. Treat it as an experiment!

The Think, Try, Learn Book

The book, Think, Try, Learn: A scientific method for discovering happiness (working title) is in process. Stay tuned! In the meantime, Liza and Matt are writing about TTL concepts on our blogs, Matt's Idea Blog and In the Process.

Platform & Tools

Our on-line Think, Try, Learn platform will have three main modules:

Edison is the first Think, Try, Learn module, and allows individual experimenters to track their work in a journal format. Fellow TTL'ers can support you by making helpful comments.