Regret minimalisation
Which would you choose? A trip to your favourite restaurant or the restaurant that just opened down the street?
This simple question is presented in Algorithms to Live by, a book on how computer science and math(s) can be applied to our lives. Unsurprisingly, it has broader implications for our lives.
The answer? You should go to the new restaurant as this is an example of the explore vs exploit dilemma. Should you explore new options, or exploit the reliable one.
The basic summary of the section is you should explore more.
There are some very interesting math(s) behind this (the Grittins index) But the simpler version works by calculating regret and there is this interesting quote from Jeff Bezos in the book. (emphasis mine)
regret minimization framework.Okay, now I’m looking back on my life. I want to have minimized the number of regrets I have.” I knew that if I failed I wouldn’t regret that, but I knew the one thing I might regret is not ever having tried.
— Jeff Bezos
For creative people, the implication is clear. Minimize your regrets when you create and share.
Have a propensity for new over familiar.
Creative prompt: an alternative cocktail
A little challenge to get you thinking and creating. On holiday I saw some cocktails including one that a slight variation on the traditional name. I wondered if this was to show that it was alcohol free, in the end it wasn’t, they just changed the name.
So here’s the challenge: turn an alcoholic cocktail, alcohol free by changing its name.
If that’s too easy, you can create your own personal cocktail and give it a name. You can pick ingredients, or draw a representation. If you want, you can even write a song about how you are looking for a partner who also likes your cocktail namesake (and getting caught in the rain).
(My idea for the Young Fashioned is that you use apple juice instead of the whiskey. I need to test this out...Also I now fancy an old fashioned. P.s. drawing ice is really tricky).
Looking foolish as you grow
Embrace personal growth, even when you look foolish.Some people fear trying new things, learning new skills, or tackling new kinds of projects because they fear that if they fail they will be “found out”. Brave people know that occasional failure is simply a part of doing hard things.
Todd Henry — Bravery In the WorkPlace
I found this podcast/blog post to be just what I needed to hear recently. It can be difficult when others don’t share this perspective but it’s good to remember that discomfort is a part of growing and it takes guts to put yourself out there.
Links
- Take a peek inside Austin Kleon’s Pandemic Diary
- This new service called Mmhmm that lets you add some cool graphics in your zoom calls, beyond just virtual backgrounds. Cool for creators and business folk.
- I made a four question google form to get your advice on the newsletter (including what you’d like and when you’d like it)
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