F around and find out!

I’ve always had a specific mode of operation, but it wasn’t until earlier this week, when I overheard someone threatening someone else on a street corner here in San Antonio, that I found the words to describe it. “Fuck around and find out.” Far from its origins as a threat to deliver a can of whoop-arse (as implied by the discussion I overheard), when I considered this term, I realized it epitomizes the concept of plunging into the unknown while also learning via action. It’s a funny and whimsical take on a threat, and I love it since you still may (or likely absolutely will to some degree) get your arse kicked haha.

The reality is that innovation in any form seldom waits for fear to pass. Most of the time, you must do things with fear. The beauty of “fucking around and finding out” is its drive to action in the face of dread, its push to explore unknown territory with the understanding that, sure, you may stumble. Or worse.

There are no experts in fresh beginnings. And, to be honest, I think being an expert may be boring. The joy, development, and true magic occur throughout the discovery process, in the moments of “fucking around and finding out.” It is at these times that we are really alive, pushing limits and broadening our perspectives.

Embarking on this adventure takes a strong heart. The outcome is uncertain—it may go phenomenally well or crash and burn. The key is resilience, the capacity to pivot fast and not take mistakes personally. Every mistake teaches us something, and every setback serves as a springboard for our next attempt. It’s like traveling down a high mountain road with a sharp drop down. You could run the automobile off the road, but you have the steering wheel. Or you might strike that hidden banana peel and lose control, just like a cartoon.

How rapidly can you pivot? How flexible are you to unexpected outcomes? The dance of discovery and innovation is all about adaptability, about leveraging the outcomes of your “fuck around and find out” trials to guide your future actions. It’s not only about failing fast, but about learning quickly.

I have this photo on the wall in my office as one of many reminders. I suppose I shouldn’t print the vulgar version I’ve shared here on my wall since I have children. 😊