Sometimes living a better story requires making a big, hairy, scary change. Like moving across the country or taking a pay cut to do what you love. But most of the time, we just need to be open to the art of tinkering.
The dictionary says that to tinker is “to repair, adjust, or work with something in an unskilled or experimental manner.”
Take special note of those words “unskilled” and “experimental.” For some reason, we grown-ups think we have to master something on our first attempt. And know exactly how something will turn out before we take a first step. Naturally, that’s impossible, so we don’t even try.
Kids are under no such illusions. They tinker all day long.
And when you were a kid, so did you.
If you’re serious about improving your story, just try small things and see what happens. If your inner child whispers something that sounds fun but feels a bit outrageous, commit to trying it just once. Or for a few days.
- Order something off the menu that you normally wouldn’t. Maybe it’ll open up a whole new culinary adventure. Or maybe not. No big deal.
- Get rid of a small box of things. Maybe you’ll appreciate the freedom so much that you’ll give away half your things to Goodwill. Maybe not. No big deal.
- Submit your resumé for that dream job. Maybe they’ll call you for an interview. Maybe not. No big deal.
- Invite that guy out for coffee. Maybe he’ll say yes, and it will lead to dinner. Or maybe he doesn’t, and it won’t. No big deal.
- Run around the block today. Maybe you’ll be so invigorated that you’ll set the goal of running a marathon in six months. Maybe not. No big deal.
Don’t worry about doing everything perfectly, and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Just do a little of this, a little of that. Cut a little here, a little there. You might even want to start a Tinker Project.
A Tinker Project is a playful endeavor of any size or scope that gives you permission to experiment with something that’s been tugging at your soul, without regard to any particular outcome. It’s a chance to chase your curiosity and try something new. It’s about venturing into the unknown, just because, where the act of exploration is reward enough.
A few years ago, I launched a Tinker Project to create 100 new pieces in a year. (I made 29 original pieces the year before.) I was regretful of having gone too many years in a row wishing I’d spent more time in the studio. I gave myself permission to experiment; none of the pieces needed to be great or serve any bigger purpose. In the end, I grew leaps and bounds as an artist and made some significant breakthroughs.
The best part was that I could stop wondering what would happen if I actually committed myself to making more art.
Your Tinker Project might be to take a picture every day on a morning walk, not to become a National Geographic photographer, but just to release a creative side of yourself that has been dormant for too long.
Your Tinker Project might be writing a dozen short stories about an abandoned robot, not to become a bestselling author, but because the stories can’t stay locked within you for one more minute.
Your Tinker Project might be to visit 24 new restaurants this year, not to start a career as a successful food blogger, but simply to stretch your culinary comfort zone a bit.
Your Tinker Project might be to pen one handwritten letter a week, not to increase your business, but to connect more deeply with people you care about.
Your Tinker Project might be to take a six-week ballroom dancing class, not to avoid embarrassing yourself at your wedding reception, but just because it might be fun.
A Tinker Project may produce some productive, practical, and perhaps even profitable benefits, but that’s not its purpose. In adulthood, our heart often takes a back seat to our head, with its incessant need for reason and fear of failure or looking stupid.
A Tinker Project is about trusting that sometimes, your heart has reasons for doing things that take a while for your head to understand.
I really hope you’ll be inspired to start a Tinker Project of your own. If so, I’d love to hear how it goes. Use the hashtag #TinkerProject to share it with the rest of us.
These small actions may lead to big things, sure, but don’t be paralyzed by the belief that to make your life better, you have to do something elaborate, groundbreaking, and meticulously planned.
Tinker.
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