Test Freely, Anchor Wisely
Building a flywheel of success for life and career
“But test them all; hold on to what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Every day brings a new theory. One investor insists value stocks are the key. Another praises index funds. In health circles, it’s keto one month, paleo the next. Some ideas truly help. Others just add to the noise.
That’s why Paul’s instruction is so valuable: “Test everything, and hold on to what is good.”
Testing begins with openness, a willingness to explore new ideas. But it also requires clarity. What’s the goal? What outcome are you looking for? What data or signals will help you decide if it’s working? You may not be able to test everything deeply, but you can test wisely.
I’ve seen this play out in my investing journey. I tried different styles such as active trading, index funds, and value investing. Each had strong advocates. But instead of copying them, I defined my own goals and observed what worked in my context. Eventually, I found what aligned with my values and held on.
Paul's words apply not just to ideas, but also to leadership. Some say culture matters most. Others focus entirely on sales. A new podcast or conference talk introduces yet another “essential” framework. It’s tempting to come back excited and change direction. But when ideas are adopted without testing or alignment, teams lose focus. They stay busy, but they stop moving forward.
Paul reminds us that testing is only the first step. Once you find what is good, what bears fruit in your life, your work, and your values, you hold on. You don’t chase every new idea. You build with conviction.
Be like the Bereans. Stay curious, but stay grounded. Let your values and goals shape what you keep, and gently release the rest.
Curiosity helps you explore. Conviction helps you build.
# Reflection:
- Where in your life are you constantly chasing new ideas? Write down one area and reflect on what’s driving that.
- List two or three filters you can use to test new frameworks or advice before adopting them.
- Once you find what works, share it with your team or family and commit to building around it. Let it become part of your foundation.