317. This is only a test. See what happens.

This is only a test. See what happens. By Derek Sivers Growing up in America in the 1970s, the TV or radio would sometimes turn into a long warning BEEEEEP. At the end, an announcer would say, “This is a test. This is only a test.” Remember that phrase when pursuing your career. It often feels like everything is so serious - that if you make one mistake, it will all end in disaster. But really everything you do is just a test: an experiment to “see what happens”. My favorite times in life have often started with a “see what happens” spirit. Let’s see what happens if I run my vocals through my guitar pedals. See what happens if I invite that famous producer out to lunch. See what happens if I call that radio station to ask their advice. There is no failure. There can’t be, if your only mission was to “see what happens”. This is a test. This is only a test. There is no downside. Try everything.