This is from his blog - https://seths.blog/. Today's post is a practical suggestion about things to do before owning a biz, or choosing an house, or planning to start marketing. Well, it applies to anything from taking a job, working in a company, or about getting a life partner, etc.
I extended this concept with the help of gen AI. Check what it looks like:
The Value of "Trying Before Committing": Learning by Doing in Five Life Scenarios
Seth Godin emphasizes the importance of understanding a choice deeply before committing. By immersing yourself in the relevant experience, you gain insight, avoid regrets, and make better decisions. Here’s how this approach applies to five different life scenarios:
1. Before Buying an Apartment: Spend Time Living in the Area
Why?
Buying an apartment is a significant investment. Spending time in the neighborhood—living there temporarily if possible—helps you understand its daily rhythm, conveniences, and drawbacks.
Practical Step
Rent a nearby place for a few weeks. Check noise levels, traffic during peak hours, accessibility to schools, hospitals, and grocery stores, and community vibes. This ensures the location aligns with your long-term lifestyle.
2. Before Getting Married: Engage in Real-Life Problem Solving Together
Why?
Marriage is a lifelong commitment. Observing how your partner handles everyday challenges, finances, family issues, and conflicts can provide valuable insights into compatibility.
Practical Step
Spend time traveling together, managing shared budgets, or working through a stressful situation. This will reveal how you both communicate, compromise, and support each other during highs and lows.
3. Before Starting a Freelance Business as a Terracotta Artist: Work with a Studio
Why?
Freelancing as a terracotta artist requires more than artistic skills—it demands business acumen, market knowledge, and networking. Gaining hands-on experience in an established studio can help you understand demand, pricing, and customer preferences.
Practical Step
Volunteer or intern at a successful pottery or terracotta studio. This experience will teach you the nuances of production, client management, and logistics. You'll also build a network of potential collaborators and customers.
4. Before Becoming a Brainstorming Consultant: Join Think Tanks or Creative Workshops
Why?
Brainstorming consulting demands creativity, problem-solving, and facilitation skills. Testing your abilities in real-world scenarios helps you gauge whether this field suits you and sharpens your expertise.
Practical Step
Join brainstorming sessions in coworking spaces, community think tanks, or corporate innovation teams. Observe how ideas are shaped, conflicts are resolved, and consensus is achieved. This will prepare you to run sessions independently.
5. Before Opening a Bakery or Food Counter: Work in the Industry
Why?
Running a bakery or food counter involves long hours, food safety regulations, customer service, and inventory management. Experiencing the grind firsthand helps you understand the challenges and rewards.
Practical Step
Spend a few weeks working at a bakery, food truck, or small café. Observe how they handle peak times, manage supplies, and interact with customers. This experience will refine your business plan and prepare you for real-world challenges.
6. Before Working as a Government Clerk or Salon Hairdresser: Shadow a Professional
Why?
Government clerical jobs and salon work both require specific skill sets and routines. Observing a professional in action helps you determine if these roles suit your aptitude and personality.
Practical Step
Shadow a clerk during a typical workday or assist a hairdresser in a busy salon. Note their workflow, customer interactions, and problem-solving approaches. This experience will clarify your interest and help you build relevant skills.
7. Before Studying to Become a Doctor: Volunteer in Healthcare
Why?
Medical studies are a long and rigorous journey. Experiencing the realities of healthcare work can confirm your passion and prepare you for the demands of the profession.
Practical Step
Volunteer at a hospital, clinic, or NGO providing medical services. Observe doctors' daily challenges, patient interactions, and the emotional toll of the job. This insight ensures your decision is well-informed and heartfelt.
Conclusion
In every life choice, immersing yourself in a related experience helps you anticipate challenges, refine your goals, and make better decisions. Whether it’s buying a home, starting a business, or choosing a career, “trying before committing” isn’t just practical—it’s transformative.
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