Embrace the unknown: Why Experimenting Leads to Personal Growth

Humans are inherently shaped by experimentation and exploratory behavior. From a young age, we learn by trying, failing, adjusting and trying again. Yet somewhere along the way—through structured schooling, professional pressures or societal expectations—we often lose touch with that open, trial-and-error mindset.

As we age, we may begin to seek comfort and predictability over novelty and challenge. However, reclaiming an experimental mindset can be a powerful tool for navigating change and supporting personal and cognitive growth.

Experimentation begins in childhood 

The value of experimentation begins early in life. Children don’t learn resilience, creativity or social negotiation by following instructions—they learn through non-prescriptive exploration. More specifically, unstructured play, or play that is not directed by adults, is a critical developmental tool.

As psychologist Rebecca A. Clay explains in her article for the American Psychological Association, unstructured play allows children to take risks, solve problems and engage in spontaneous creativity—all of which support emotional, cognitive and social development (Clay, 2023). Activities like building forts, climbing trees or storytelling are not just fun—they help children develop self-regulation, empathy and the ability to navigate ambiguity. 

These early experiments in agency and exploration form a fundamental part of our personal growth, laying the foundation for how we approach learning and adaptation later in life. The reduction of such opportunities may reinforce narrower, more risk-averse ways of thinking—one that undervalues the uncomfortable and uncertain process of trial and error.

New experiences keep the mind sharp

Just as unstructured play fuels development in childhood, experimentation offers similar benefits in adulthood. A 2024 study published in Nature: Scientific Reports by researchers at the University of Toronto highlights the power of "experiential diversity"—the practice of introducing new, stimulating experiences into daily life. Older adults who engaged in unique, one-off events reported improved mood, enhanced episodic memory and even a shift in their perception of time (Meade et al., 2024). 

The study’s authors note, “Our findings suggest an inextricable relationship between unique experiences and well-being” (Meade et al., 2024). Engaging in new experiences, it seems, does more than make life more interesting—it enhances how we remember and mentally process events.

Whether it’s learning a new skill, taking a different walking route or striking up a conversation with someone outside your social circle, these small experiments help keep the brain stimulated and engaged. While not every experience yields significant insights, they can promote cognitive stimulation that routine activities cannot provide. Perhaps the real value of experimentation is that we’re never too old to keep surprising and challenging ourselves.

Going beyond your comfort zone

Experimentation, while often fun and exciting, can also come with a degree of discomfort—a factor that can impede engagement. However, recent research suggests that discomfort itself may be a key marker of progress.

In a recent study published in Psychological Science, Kaitlin Woolley and Ayelet Fishbach investigated whether intentionally seeking discomfort could increase motivation and facilitate personal growth. Across five experiments—including scenarios like improvisation classes, expressive writing and consuming difficult news—they found that participants who experienced immediate discomfort during the activities reported a higher perception of growth, motivated engagement and goal achievement (Woolley & Fishbach, 2021). 

This is because discomfort provides immediate feedback that something is happening. It may feel awkward, frustrating or emotionally challenging, but those responses are often signs that we're expanding into new areas of learning and growth.

The researchers argue that “instead of seeing discomfort as unrelated to the goal or as a signal to stop, people will start perceiving it as a sign of progress,” a signal that we’re pushing past the boundaries of familiarity and into meaningful change. This mindset shift is especially valuable when traditional progress markers are slow or unclear, such as when building emotional resilience or improving leadership skills. Discomfort can be used as a measure of the effectiveness of experimentation in personal growth. In that sense, it isn’t a barrier—it’s a compass.

Adopting an experimental mindset

So, how can we bring more experimentation into our everyday lives without overwhelming ourselves?

Leadership coach and former scientist Rachel Kindt, Ph.D., suggests treating personal and professional development as a series of small, low-stakes experiments. In her coaching practice, she encourages clients to frame behavioral changes for personal growth—like speaking up in meetings or trying out new management styles—as experiments rather than decisions. “The idea is to test out new behaviors or approaches in real-world situations and see what happens,” she explains.

Why does this approach work? Experimentation supports practice rather than perfection. It allows individuals to observe real-life immediate feedback, adjust their strategies and take ownership for their growth. Moreover, reframing change as play or inquiry—much like the unstructured play of childhood—makes it more enjoyable and sustainable, removing the fear of failure and instead inviting curiosity. 

Kindt notes, “You’re both the researcher and the subject here. You’re in control, and you have all the tools you need to make a positive change in your life and career.” Jeanette Cajide takes a similar approach in her Experiment Driven Life framework (Cajide, 2024). Cajide treats personal challenges as experiments to test and refine. She emphasizes measurable input, regular review and short feedback loops, encouraging people to track their own progress. Cajide frames failure as essential data for growth, helping you learn and then improve for next time.

A path to resilience and growth

The ability to adapt is essential in dynamic environments, but the willingness to experiment is what enables that adaptability. Whether through the developmental power of childhood play, the cognitive benefits of novel experiences or the motivational impact of seeking discomfort, cumulative scientific evidence suggests that experimentation provides personal, emotional and cognitive benefits.

Experimentation is a mindset we can return to at any age—and it doesn't require radical reinvention. It begins with small, incremental shifts: asking new questions, taking different routes or trying things that make you a little uncomfortable. These steps can lead to sharper thinking, deeper engagement and a more resilient mind. Rather than a linear process, learning is iterative. Embracing experimentation helps to cultivate the mindset and skills to innovate, evolve and thrive in uncertainty.

References

Brabaw, K. (2022). Why making yourself uncomfortable can be motivating. Chicago Booth Review. https://www.chicagobooth.edu/review/why-making-yourself-uncomfortable-can-be-motivating 

Cajide, J. (2024). The Experiment Driven Life. LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/experiment-driven-life-jeanette-cajide/ 

Clay, R. A. (2023). The many wondrous benefits of unstructured play. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/children/kids-unstructured-play-benefits 

Kindt, R. (n.d.). How to Harness the Power of Experimentation for Personal & Career Growth. https://rachelkindt.com/how-to-harness-the-power-of-experimentation-for-personal-career-growth/ 

Meade, M. E., Chang, M., Savel, K., Hong, B., Martin, C. B., & Barense, M. D. (2024). Unique events improve episodic richness, enhance mood, and alter the perception of time during isolation. Scientific Reports, 14 (1). https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-80591-z 

Woolley, K., & Fishbach, A. (2021). Motivating Personal Growth by Seeking Discomfort. Psychological Science, 33 (4). https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/09567976211044685