Nothing but a test

Let's see what happens

In Georgia in the 1990’s, schools would test students on a regular basis. But not in math, science or history.

This was a different kind of test.

One that required us to crouch under our desks with our hands cupped over our heads in order to pass.

But why?

Because we had those whirling winds that ravished Dorothy’s house in the Wizard of Oz — tornadoes.

There would be a deafening siren that I can still hear ringing in my ears today.

“BEEEEEEP”

After our ears had been tortured for a few minutes, the principal would announce on the loud speaker (in his Godlike voice), “This is a test. Nothing but a test.”

That phrase (along with the siren), is seared into my mind, “This is a test. Nothing but a test.”

It’s quite useful to remember when it comes to our art, careers, and just about anything else.

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We like to fool ourselves into believing that everything is so darn serious — like if we have one misstep in judgment, it’ll all burn down.

But in reality (which is where I prefer to spend most of my time), everything we do is nothing but a test — a little experiment to see what happens.

All my favorite memories started with a “let’s see what happens” approach.

• Let’s see what happens if I quit my first big boy job. Hop in my car. And just start driving west. With nothing but a (somewhat) reliable vehicle and $2,000 to my name.

• Let’s see what happens if I quit my second big boy job and buy a one way ticket to Bangkok. Spending four months in five foreign countries where I can’t read the signs, everyone’s driving on the opposite side of the road, and my only effective method of communicating with locals is dramatic hand waving and wacky facial expressions.

• Let’s see what happens if I cold email a few of my invisible mentors, thanking them for their advice, when they don’t even know I exist.

• Let’s see what happens if I start writing and sharing my ideas publicly for a year straight, without any expectations.

• Let’s see what happens if I ask that cute girl out who I’ve been stalking on Instagram for two years.

It’s impossible to fail if our only mission is to see what happens!

“This is a test. Nothing but a test.”

Test it all.

I’d rather regret trying too many things, not too few. Wouldn’t you?

PS - That cute girl from Instagram is about to be my wife👰🏻‍♀️

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