Life Experiments with the Semi-Scientific Method: Antidote to Perfectionism

Remember when we learned about the scientific method in science class? How about we use that same systematic approach to tackle creative chaos and finally finish a few of those exciting projects with life experiments?  

Conducting Life Experiments with “Semi-Scientific Method” is a framework I developed after realizing I was unconsciously breaking down my projects into steps similar to the scientific method whenever I felt overwhelmed by the complexity of a project or so fascinated by a topic that I couldn’t get myself out of the research phase. It’s a fun way to approach any idea in a structured manner with flexibility.

If you’re thinking “Oh great, another rigid system that doesn’t understand how my mind works,” I hear you! As someone intimately familiar with perfectionism, self-doubt, the challenges of ADHD, and the occasional (okay, frequent) tendency to get lost in research rabbit holes, I created this specifically for minds that work differently. This isn’t about forcing yourself to focus or perform. Think of it more as an experiment where mistakes are not only Ok – they’re part of the fun!

How Life Experiments Keep Us From Getting Stuck

During your experiments, keep in mind that overwhelm is a teacher (thanks for that gem of an insight, Ryan Eliason, and also for teaching me how to take bold action). Our emotional experiences and physical reactions inform us about our needs and preferences. I created this framework to help prevent overwhelm and allow neurodivergent folks to complete projects and flesh out ideas in a flexible yet structured way.

Everyone experiences overwhelm differently. Here are some common patterns that can contribute to feeling overwhelmed, especially for neurodivergent brains:

Time Perception Challenges

Between the excitement of pursuing a new idea, the sheer volume of ideas we have, and potential issues with time blindness, estimating the time tasks and projects will require can be difficult. These factors, and more, make it easy to take on too much and quickly become overwhelmed.

MINDSET BOOST: It’s okay to adjust timelines and expectations as we go. Learning more about your needs and adapting plans is a strength, not a weakness or a mistake.

Planning & Organization

Our brains all work differently – what works for one person may not work for another. Finding your planning style is key.

Many of us are visual learners. Abstract goals can feel more concrete when they become visible and in shapes and structures that make sense to us. Any of the steps in this method can be completed through using mindmaps, video, audio, sketches, or using whatever type of software or notebooks you enjoy using.

One thing is for sure, breaking goals into smaller steps makes them more manageable. The Semi-Scientific Method creates space to develop your own systems and follow intuitive flow while providing a structure that moves you along, keeps your goals and insights out of your head and onto the page, and allows you to develop a witness perspective of the project at each phase.

All the tools presented here are meant to boost your energy and self-esteem while showing your strengths and revealing ways that structure can create more freedom.

MINDSET BOOST: Finding what works for you (in studying, planning, and taking bold action) is a powerful form of self-awareness that saves time and alleviates stress. Allowing yourself to take action and make mistakes creates confidence, self-trust, and self-awareness.

Think Like a Scientist (and have fun too!)

Think like a scientist when approaching new challenges. They actually try to prove themselves wrong. Anyone can look for evidence they’re right. That won’t make your project stronger, or grow your knowledge. Mistakes and surprises are a natural part of this experiment called life.

How would it feel to release yourself from the pressure of being perfect or even getting it right?

• Embrace being wrong as a path to greater understanding
• Get excited about unexpected results
• View “failures” as valuable data points
• Adjust your approach based on what doesn’t work

Your Life as a Lab with Everyday Experiments

Life is short. Embracing uncertainty and allowing curiosity to guide you is the only way to make the best of our time on this beautiful planet. Try to remember that newness and excitement of every experience when you were a child. Let that feeling set your vision for all of your experiments. Our entire life is an experiment – a learning laboratory. Enjoy the journey, and don’t be afraid to get messy.

When you approach your projects like a scientist, something magical happens. Suddenly:

• Mistakes become interesting discoveries
• “Failed” attempts become successful experiments
• Every outcome teaches you something valuable
• Growth becomes a series of interesting movements in a new direction

The Cycle of Curiosity and Experimentation

Remember: this isn’t a one-and-done process. It’s more like a spiral staircase where each loop takes you higher. You:

1. Form an idea
2. Test it out
3. Observe what works and what doesn’t
4. Adjust what didn’t work out
5. Repeat with more wisdom

The real failure isn’t in getting something wrong – it’s in being too afraid to experiment at all. So put on your imaginary lab coat, grab your curiosity, and let’s start experimenting with imperfection!

Life Experiments with the Semi-Scientific Method will be available on Etsy on March 21, 2025. Your download will include links to a Google Doc, a PDF version of the worksheet, a Scrivener template, and instructions on how to conduct Life Experiments entirely in your journal or personal word-processing software. This program is fully customizable for how your process information. 

The Semi-Scientific Method for Conducting Life Experiments

Here’s how the method works:

1. Select a topic

This involves simply identifying an area of interest or general subject. There may be a project you’ve been putting off that pops into your mind immediately. You may want to create a list and then choose the one that sounds most fun.

Don’t be intimidated by the scope of any experiment. We will break things down into easy-to-accomplish steps using this formula.

2. Determine the focus and duration of the experiment

This is where we narrow down the topic. Your topic might be adjusting your routines to positively impact the environment. The focus for that could be to create a zero-waste grocery shopping list for the week.

Duration: How much time will this experiment require? Two weeks is generally ideal for many experiments, giving you time to research, take action, and reflect. However, some experiments may require more or less time. Not all experiments will require each of these steps either – it’s all up to you and what motivates you to keep going.

3. Conduct background research

Start with what you know on the topic, and let it lead your inquiries. It’s helpful to know what others have done, how they did it, the tools they used, the procedures and the findings. Every good research paper starts with a literature review of what’s already been done on any given topic. This way, you’re not spending time on recreating the wheel.

First, brain purge any questions you have immediately. Don’t do any reading or research, just write down what comes to mind first when you think about your topic and focus. This is your starting point.

Second, brain purge your immediate ideas. Answer your own questions, come up with ways to find answers, and explore ideas for your experiment.

The questions, findings and to-do list you create in this step will guide your weekly goals and actions.

4. Set an end goal (the hypothesis)

Consider your background research. What can you reasonably accomplish in your experiment period? What do you think will happen?

This will help you make decisions throughout the experiment. You’ll check in with this goal periodically to stay on the path.

5. Plan the details, gather supplies

Do you need to contact anyone to make arrangements? Are there any concerns or tasks you haven’t hashed out in the other steps that need to be figured out here?

Will you need the help of others, materials, tools and software? Determine what procedures you will use for conducting the experiment. Round up anything you might need.

Get excited to begin!

6. Create a timeline

Take the to-do-list from your research and any action items from planning, and assign a date and time to each task. Once decided, put these in your reliable to-do recording system or calendar.

Consider your schedule, your physical and emotional wellbeing, current commitments, and how you work. Give yourself more than enough time while also taking on a challenge.

7. Take action and record the experiment

Carry out the actions in your weekly plan. Keep a daily journal. Record your observations, feelings, challenges and ideas. This will be crucial. You’ll review this at the end of the experiment.

Remember: There is no “failing” in this process. If you need to change the variables in this experiment – do so!

8. Review and analyze the data

Do a thorough review of your journal including your thoughts and feelings. Create a summary of your findings. Summarize the events and facts. Look for patterns and relationships in your data.

9. Formulate conclusions and start designing your next life experiments

Did your data support your hypothesis? Share your findings with others. What did you learn in this experiment? How will you move forward? What would you do differently? What went great? How do you feel?

The Importance of Self-Inquiry

Asking yourself questions is something you might not naturally do, yet it’s the best way to get in contact with what’s most important.

Throughout your experimentation process, which will eventually become second nature to you, ask yourself important questions about your beliefs, feelings, perceptions, and observations. Self-inquiry is one of the most powerful learning tools we have available to us. I will include many reflective opportunities in our work together, but here are a few big questions to get you started.

A Final Reminder

No matter what the result of your life experiments, you did great! Drop any judgments about your performance. Don’t compare yourself to others and drop the need to please anyone but yourself in this process. This experience/experiment is one of many in your journey.

There is no messing it up. Give yourself permission to play.

Wherever you’re at is just right. There is no wrong way. You’re not behind. You’ve already begun!

Get curious and start experimenting!

If you have any questions about Life Experiments or would like a personal consultation regarding your learning goals, please contact Heather Birt here.