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In today's performance-oriented environment, the experimental mindset opens up a revolutionary approach to personal growth and success. This approach, significantly shaped by neuroscientist and entrepreneur Anne-Laure Le Cunff, fundamentally transforms our relationship with challenges, mistakes, and learning. Anne-Laure, founder of Ness Labs and author of "Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World", researches the neuroscience of lifelong learning, curiosity, and adaptability as a scientist at King's College London. Her insights offer a liberating alternative to traditional concepts of success and enable a life characterized by sustainable curiosity and continuous growth, rather than being constrained by rigid goal-setting.
The Path to an Experimental Mindset
"I'm really, really happy to be here today." This is how Le Cunff begins her talk - and as she emphasizes, this is not just an empty phrase.[1] Previously, the thought of public speaking would give her stage fright, stomach aches, and sleepless nights. However, through consistent experimentation, failure, and learning, her attitude fundamentally changed. This personal transformation illustrates the central thesis of her work: an experimental approach can fundamentally reshape how we deal with challenges and our learning process.[2]
Children as Natural Experimenters
Children serve as the ideal starting point for understanding experimental thinking. They are naturally problem- and solution-oriented – their brains are wired for pattern recognition, making connections, and trying things out.[6] From a neurological perspective, the child's brain operates at peak performance: the hippocampus promotes memory formation, the dopaminergic reward system fires up motivation, and innate curiosity drives the urge to explore.
Children experiment constantly and tirelessly: they build and destroy block towers, mix colors, and push buttons to understand cause-and-effect relationships. Their joy in asking questions is particularly notable – studies show that children ask an average of over 100 questions daily. However, around age six, this natural flow of questions begins to slow down, and by middle school, an increasing fear of making mistakes develops. The intrinsic motivation shifts from "What happens if I try this?" to "What if I do it wrong?"[7]
Linear Success Thinking and Its Limitations
Anne-Laure identifies our society's deeply ingrained definition of success as the cause of this development.[2] In modern performance-oriented society, success is typically understood as achieving a predefined goal. We measure progress through KPIs, OKRs, and regular performance reviews. Our education systems and corporate cultures view success as a linear process: you set a goal, develop a plan, and work systematically to achieve that goal.[3]
However, this linear perspective contradicts the reality of our world, which is complex, interconnected, and constantly changing. "When you let go of the linear notion, when you abandon the idea that success is like a ladder that you must climb step by step with fixed milestones, many possibilities open up," explains Le Cunff.[3] When success is exclusively defined as achieving set goals, only two possibilities remain: achievement or failure. In an unpredictable, rapidly changing world, this reductionist viewpoint inevitably leads to frustration and potentially to burnout.[6]
The Scientific Definition of Success: Learning Instead of Achieving
In contrast to the linear success model, the scientific method offers a fundamentally different perspective. Scientists don't primarily define success as achieving a predefined outcome, but rather as gaining new insights.[5] Their goal is learning – regardless of whether the original hypothesis is confirmed or not. Every result, even an unexpected one, provides valuable data and leads to new knowledge.
This mindset aligns not only with the scientific approach but is also neurologically grounded. Our brain naturally works in cycles of perception and action – it observes, formulates hypotheses, tests them, and adapts accordingly. In this model, failures are not viewed as final obstacles, but as valuable data points in the continuous learning process.[7]
Experimental research itself shows that this approach can be methodologically superior to the traditional linear model. In experimental research, variables are systematically manipulated to investigate cause-and-effect relationships. It's not about achieving a predefined outcome, but about systematically testing hypotheses and gaining new insights.
Three Practical Ways to Think More Experimentally
In her book "Tiny Experiments" and her talks, Anne-Laure presents three practical approaches to cultivating an experimental mindset in everyday life:[3]
1. Developing an Experimental Mindset
A scientist doesn't interpret unexpected results as personal failure, but as an interesting observation with learning potential.[5] Anyone can adopt this perspective by viewing life as a laboratory and prioritizing curiosity over certainty. Anne-Laure calls this an "experimental mindset" – an approach that views uncertainty not as a threat, but as a space for exploration and growth.
The transition from linear to experimental thinking requires a shift in how we think about success and failure. In the experimental model, there is no failure in the traditional sense – as long as something was learned, the experiment was successful.[7] This reinterpretation of success liberates us from the fear of mistakes and creates space for creativity and genuine innovation.
2. Cultivating Systematic Curiosity
Anne-Laure emphasizes the importance of "systematic curiosity" - a conscious, structured form of questioning and exploring. This goes beyond spontaneous expressions of interest and includes examining difficult or uncomfortable topics.
Anne-Laure demonstrates this approach using procrastination as an example: Instead of condemning oneself for postponed tasks, one could systematically investigate different hypotheses:
- Is the problem cognitive in nature? (Does the task appear meaningful?)
- Is it emotionally based? (Does the task cause discomfort or boredom?)
- Is it practically justified? (Are necessary resources or support missing?)
Depending on the answer, different strategies can be developed - from redesigning the task to seeking support to changing the work environment. This methodical approach to personal challenges corresponds to the scientific method in experimental research.
3. Establishing Iteration as a Core Principle
Every new challenge can be conceived as an experiment. Anne-Laure recommends defining small, manageable experiments, which she calls "Tiny Experiments."[3] A well-designed experiment consists of two core components:
- Action: The specific action to be tested
- Duration: A defined timeframe for the experiment
Anne-Laure describes the process in three steps: First, we observe without judgment, then we formulate a hypothesis based on our intuition, and finally, we design a "Tiny Experiment."[3] We follow a simple template:
- "I will perform [Action] for [Duration]"
A practical example from Anne-Laure's talk: Someone with public speaking anxiety might commit to recording and publishing a short video of themselves daily for ten days. After completing this defined experiment, they can reflect: Was it helpful? What changes were observed? What could be the next step?
The Benefits of an Experimental Mindset
The most significant advantage of an experimental mindset lies in reducing the fear of failure. By definition, experiments are designed to be open-ended – you can't "fail," you can only gain new insights. This attitude fosters creativity, resilience, and self-confidence in uncertain situations.
This approach is particularly valuable in an era of rapid change and increasing complexity. The experimental mindset enables adaptive learning and continuous adjustment – skills that are essential in modern work and life.
Neuroscientific research, including Anne-Laure's own work at King's College London, supports this approach. Her studies on neurodiversity and cognitive learning show that experimental learning models can be particularly effective as they accommodate different cognitive styles and learning preferences.
Conclusion: Develop a Culture of Tiny Experiments
Anne-Laure invites us to imagine a society that doesn't exclusively focus on results and achievements, but also values experiments and learning processes.[5] A culture where mistakes are viewed as valuable learning opportunities and where curiosity is valued more than presumed certainty.
Her concept of "Tiny Experiments" provides a practical framework for transitioning from rigid goal-setting to a more flexible, growth-oriented way of living. This perspective enables us to view uncertainty not as a threat, but as a space for exploration and personal development.
While the experimental approach initially requires a shift in thinking, it rewards us with increased adaptability, deeper learning, and greater resilience in the face of setbacks.[3]canva In an increasingly complex and rapidly changing world, this mindset could not only promote individual well-being but also contribute to more innovative solutions for societal challenges.
What will your next tiny experiment be?
Sources
[1] Keynote: Rewiring How We Learn: The Power of an Experimental Mindset | SXSW EDU 2025: **https://youtu.be/BCIT1L5muoQ?si=M_FtumBSQ4zWjIwB**
[2] Anne-Laure Le Cunff Talks About Tiny Experiments and Sustainable ... **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sf9nLZ9aqks**
[3] Anne-Laure Le Cunff: Tiny Experiments | Umbrex Presents **https://umbrex.com/umbrex-presents/anne-laure-le-cunff-tiny-experiments/**
[4] The Evolution of My Second Brain | Anne-Laure Le Cunff - Forte Labs **https://fortelabs.com/blog/the-evolution-of-my-second-brain-anne-laure-le-cunff/**
[5] The Anne-Laure Le Cunff interview: How to become "the scientist of ... **https://bigthink.com/the-long-game/the-anne-laure-le-cunff-interview-how-to-become-the-scientist-of-your-own-life/**
[6] TCC Podcast #331: Neuroscience, Productivity, and Building ... **https://thecopywriterclub.com/neuroscience-anne-laure-le-cunff/**
[7] Tiny Experiments: A System to Change Your Life - YouTube **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jntsKUT1Hkk**
[8] Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb-_Rxccb8g**
[9] Who is Anne-Laure Le Cunff?! - YouTube **https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGLEA4MMCCs**
[10] Lifelong Learning & Curiosity: Embracing Tiny Experiments For Big ... **https://www.ipurposepartners.com/blog/lifelong-learning-and-curiosity-embracing-tiny-experiments-for-big-change-with-anne-laure-le-cunff**
[11] Anne-Laure Le Cunff - YouTube **https://www.youtube.com/@neuranne**
[12] Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff - Ness Labs **https://nesslabs.com/book**
[13] The Power of Personal Experiments - Ness Labs **https://nesslabs.com/personal-experiments**