Once I had the opportunity to lead an animal mask craft project with a bunch of young children. Before we started, I showed them an example of what the finished product could look like. The children didn’t seem very interested in the example. They briefly glanced at it before they turned their attention to the materials.

Once they were given their materials, the children began working.  Some were avidly gluing as many items as they could onto the masks. Some were so engrossed in adding glue to their mask that they hardly stuck anything onto the glue. Some children attached items in an organized manner while other children went with the flow. Most opted to place the ears above the mask handle. One child decided to place the ears on only one side of the mask handle, so that the mask could be held out to the side. The masks had the children’s names on them, but there was no need for this. The masks where so unique you could tell them apart.

There are many brilliant and creative ways to interpret things. Sometimes we get so caught up in the example or what worked for someone else, that we fail to see what other possibilities are out there for us. 

Are you exercising on a regular basis week-in and week-out following some exercise routine that worked for John Doe or Jane Roe? What works for one person may not work for someone else. Are you getting the results that they got? Is it time for a fresh perspective?