When someone gives you advice, or when you apply a best practice, you may not actually be doing it the way that person intended. 

In other words, if an expert watched you practice your work or apply your approach, they might say, “Hey, wait—that’s not what I meant.” That moment is a gift.

There’s a lot that gets lost in communication. The more general a piece of advice is, the more challenging it is to apply to your specific situation. 

It’s always worth keeping an open mind about how you’re doing something. You may be missing a step or two, or some important nuance that makes a big difference.