Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.” ~PABLO PICASSO
We’ve all heard the blessed saying, “Vision is 20/20 in hindsight.” More times than not, it is used to buffer the harsh blows of bad decisions made. But what the phrase is really speaking to is the ability to truly learn from what has already taken place and glean something of value from it in order to create a better present and future.
Gleaning value is never a negative thing, just like looking back doesn’t have to be as a result of a bad choice.
The art of learning and growing is mastered by the ability to take stock of what has taken place behind us, what is currently unfolding, and having the ability to discern possible outcomes in our pending futures.
Part of growing is seeing where we have made our mistakes, where we could have done better, and applying that knowledge to future acts for improvement.
When we pause to assess our current places, we are better equipped to create or continue with our plans and goals for our future. Using the tools of hindsight, as well as her sister, foresight, gives us the gift of recalibration.
Practicing these two things is like using our GPS. Every now and again we get off track and slowly coast off course. Pausing to practice foresight and hindsight will give you the insight to know how you need to readjust your position in order to better aim for and hit your desired targets.
The thing about being a Creative, especially if you are starting something new, is having to:
- Resist the urge to jump ahead/ skip steps in the process
- Resist the urge to not move until you have everything ‘perfectly’ mapped out
- Resist the urge to ignore the voices of those who have been where you desire to go
JUMPING AHEAD IN THE PROCESS
Anytime you make the decision to leap over steps, you are asking to get bruised shins. I don’t care how agile or athletic you believe yourself to be, every one of us has fallen at least a time or two when we’ve jumped steps. And do I really need to say that we have all regretted the consequences, especially when we know they could have been avoided?
Here is the truth. Learning is going to take time. Growth is going to take time, but time is all its truly going to take in the end.
There are reasons we are made to learn how to do things, step by step. It enables us to become better acquainted with what we are working with so that we have the knowledge and understanding to know how to take what we’ve learned and soar beyond limitations.
When we learn the steps, then we truly know how to skip over them in the future.
NO MAP IS GOING TO BE PERFECT
To wait until everything is ‘perfect’ is to make a conscious decision to never move at all. To never do a thing. This is why we have our friends foresight and hindsight, they act as our margins in our process.
The reality is, in life (our creative journies) you are going to slip and stumble, same as you did when you were learning how to walk for the first time.
The process of doing so didn’t look perfect. Often times you used what was available to help you on your path of growth (tables, furniture, the leg of your parent), but your destination always remained true, and that was to be able to walk.
Take what tools you have now and step forward on your path and make the necessary calibrations as you go!
PUT YOUR LISTENING EARS ON
There is nothing quite as unfortunate as watching someone with potential fail to take flight, or encounter avoidable delays in their process because they refuse to be taught by others.
It kind of puts me in the mind of a toddler who refuses to let you show them how to tie their shoes.
Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning….Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, But he who hates correction is stupid. ~PROVERBS 9:9; 12:1
I think the book of Proverbs makes it as plain as possible. When we have teachable hearts, when we allow others to instruct us in our way, we grow wiser and increase in learning.
In other words, your potential becomes powerful!
“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisors they succeed.” ~PSALM 15:22
The converse to that truth is that to reject instruction/correction is to prove yourself…stupid. Sounds harsh, but harsher still is having to look back at our lives through the lenses of regret because we refused to be shown the way.
Being a Creative is such an inherent blessing, one that shouldn’t be treated as common. Deciding to learn all that we can as we create is the purest way to show our thanks and gratitude to the Lord God Jesus Christ, Who created us to be creative in the first place, and that begins with having a teachable heart.
*What are some ways that hindsight and foresight have helped you in your creative process? Share your wisdom and grace in the comment section below.
~Dream. Imagine. Believe. Do. CONQUER!
