Exploit vs Explore

What should we do when we feel stuck? What could we do instead of going through the motions? What strategy could take us from standard functionality to high-energy vitality?

In Adam Atler’s book titled, Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck and Thrive When It Matters Most, he writes about inevitable plateaus and “friction epochs” we all experience at some point in our lives. A key concept involves - 

Exploit versus Explore

Exploiting refers to doubling and tripling down on what’s working. It involves executing known behaviors and ritualized routines that bear fruit. When we exploit, our focus narrows in on a few or just one track.

Exploring refers to trying new techniques, testing out alternative pathways, and taking risks into previous uncharted environments. As part of the creative, problem-solving process… an explorer seeks new ways forward. 

When we feel stuck, we must explore.

Be stubborn on vision and flexible on details.

– Jeff Bezos, Founder of Amazon

One of the overarching frameworks I share with clients utilizes a mountain range as a metaphor. In lockstep with the ideas surrounding The Sermon on the Mount, all successful people go on a worthwhile adventure upwards while shouldering responsibility.

Imagine standing at the bottom of a mountain. Our eyes lift towards the sky, setting our value-oriented vision on the mountain’s tallest peak. The peak represents what’s most important to us one year, three years, or multiple years in the future. Once we decide on where we’d like to go, we must take the first step, and then another, and then another…

Along our journey, we will certainly face changing weather patterns, challenging elevations, and routes that lead to danger. Each decision we make is part of the mission. The vision stays the same; our mission, depending on the climate and obstacle in front of us, evolves. As our mission evolves, so do we.

If we attempt to walk, hike, or run into a steep wall with a narrow focus straight ahead, we will get hurt, stuck, or both. Therefore, when detours present themselves, we must zoom out and explore. We must seek alternative routes.

The great ones adapt. 

– Boyd Epley, 1st Strength & Conditioning Coach in America, Founder of NSCA

We must make calculated decisions based on our experience, intuition, and consult from trusted advisors.

On my 52nd episode of Grateful and Full of Greatness, I sat down with Hall-of-Fame track coach, Tony Holler. We discussed speed training, the importance of sleep, and fighting hard for what we love. One of the most interesting and paradoxical segments of our discussion, however, revolved around an idea: performance > hard work. Tony elaborated on the critical role a fully charged central nervous system plays in our everyday endeavors. 

While I may have given him slight pushback because I strongly believe relentless work ethic is fundamental to championship-level results, Tony opened my mind to appropriate dosage. Consistent doses of hard work, sleep, and love make what’s possible probable.

Too much of anything is not good for you, besides love.

– Jean Glicini, Cancer Survivor, Secretary of the Meaningful Growth Foundation, my mother

How much should we exploit and work hard before we burn ourselves out?

When should we zoom out, explore, and shift our attention to novel, innovative approaches for potentially even higher performance?

What constitutes as too little versus too much?

Questions like these are why I love Performance Psychology. It’s not as straightforward as baking a cake — adding 1/4 teaspoon of vegetable oil, 1 cup of water, flour and eggs into a preheated oven set at 450 degrees Fahrenheit. There’s no one-size-fits-all technique. It depends on context, conditioning, and circumstances. 

Even when someone knows what they should do… they do not always do what they know.

Therefore, here’s my advice: intentionally, as often as you can, remain self-aware.

Notice when you feel off, frustrated, or stuck.

When those feelings arise, be brave enough to explore other options.

Observe what could be, instead of what is or always has been, and courageously take risks into the unknown.

Stay frustrated or become fascinated.

Be bitter or become better.

Stay mindful, fellow explorers! 

— MG