I’ve been thinking a lot lately about doing things the right way versus doing it YOUR way. When you’re learning something new, be it a recipe or a musical instrument, you usually start by doing it the right way: following the directions, working with a teacher or looking at examples. That makes sense when you’re learning. But don’t you find that once you’ve done it the right way a few times, you’re reading to start doing it YOUR way? Adding your own individual flair? Mixing it up a bit?
And, when you think about it, aren’t most new ideas the product of looking at old things in new ways or trying a new way of doing something? Some of my best meals have emerged from substituting a missing ingredient or adding a bit of extra spice (or cheese!). Some of my best photographs have emerged from viewing the scene at a totally different angle. And some of my best conversations have emerged from approaching a topic in an unexpected way.