Applying the Levy Walk
There is a pattern present in many species including fish, dogs, and even microscopic organisms. It exists both for seeds of plants not yet sprouted and herds of animals traveling together. It is a pattern that allows them to search for resources across a sparse environment, despite not knowing where the resources they seek are located. This pattern allows for maximum search efficiency, increasing the chances for survival and expansion. It is also present in humans.
This pattern is known as a ‘Levy Walk’, a random alternating pattern that switches between short-range searching, gathering, and exploiting a small area (called ‘Levy Exploits’ here), and long-range, straight line movements to new areas (called ‘Levy Flights’).
Even though this pattern is found across several different species and environments, it occurred to me that due to the nature of modern life altering our behaviors, it could very well be that we’ve found ways to deviate from this natural pattern, and not for the better.
There are two major ways to fail to uphold this natural pattern:
Conduct a Levy Flight too early (jumping away from what would be the fruitful remainder of a Levy Exploit), or
Stay too long in a single spot, long after a Levy Exploit has yielded any potential resources
What culprits might we identify for jumping too early? I’d venture technology, advertisements, or social pressure to change directions could all mistakenly cause a badly timed Levy Flight. Anything that suggests a ‘quick fix’ during a difficult time could pull one out of something that was otherwise worthwhile.
And on the other side, what culprits might make us stay too long in something that isn’t working? I’d say social obligations causing a Levy Flight to appear too costly (via conflict, guilt, etc.). Tradition and history may be another thing weighing you down.
To do:
Conduct a review of the different areas of your life, from the perspective of the Levy Walk.
Is it better to continue exploiting, or is it time for a jump?
Summary:
Problem: You feel like you spend all of your time and energy searching and never really benefiting from what you find. Or oppositely, you’ve been in the same place for too long, and there’s no living spark where you are. You end up feeling trapped by your routine, your circumstances, your pattern. This feeling could be in your work, your relationships, your hobbies, craft, or even religion.
Takeaway: Examine where you are in the Levy Walk and consider if that’s the right position for you. Take account of what you’ve seen, select the best place to drill down, and commit to doing just that. Do not change positions until it becomes clear there is no more benefit to be gained in that place. Oppositely, search for new horizons and adventures. Push past the fear and social pressures that likely hold you back from completing your search.