No manual provided

We are trained from a pretty early age to expect instructions, directions, user manuals, etc. for new gadgets, tools, and technologies we encounter; and even for new processes we are tasked with performing. What are the steps? What do I do first? And next? Where can I get help if it doesn't work? What are the twenty questions that the thousands of users that have come before me have asked, that the company has managed to nicely collect and list in the 'FAQ' section.Good luck with this one

Most of us, when we open the box containing a new little toy almost instinctively continue to dig into the packaging to find the little instruction card (often conveniently written in half a dozen languages), before we are willing to take our first, halting steps with the new gadget or product. I do it all the time myself, and for good reason, depending on the new technology, software program, or electronic toy, not understanding the basic operations and functionality can lead to a long, frustrating slog trying to conjure up the right series of steps to begin to see value from the new device. Who wants to spend time, money, and attention on some new tool or technology and be unable to get the thing to work right away.

But often the instructions, manuals, user guides, or in the workplace purview the tightly written 'do this exactly this way' document sometimes known as a 'job aid' have such a limiting effect on our ability to see and pursue potential alternatives or new use cases, that these documents effectively become limiters on our creativity.  The manual tells us exactly how to use the new tool. The FAQ not only answers all our questions, but makes us feel like there should be no other questions. The process steps become a cake recipe, leave out one item, or add a bit more of another, and who knows what might result - but one thing's for sure, the warranty will not apply.

When very young children get their first sets of building blocks or LEGOS, there usually are no instructions included. The child simply dumps out the collection of large blocks on the floor and starts using them. Sure, the 'designs' are usually simple and repetitive, but at least they are not prescribed. Once kids, particularly with LEGO sets, begin to progress and build more complex structures, detailed and illustrated building instructions are provide, often running hundreds of pages. You need to follow the instructions very closely to 'correctly' assemble the model, and even one small misstep can result in significant error requiring re-work later on to fix. Assembling one of the larger LEGO sets becomes an exercise in determination and discipline, ultimately kind of satisfying, but also sort of deflating, as by the end of the process all you have really done is to do exactly what was proscribed.

Eventually the 1,325 piece LEGO Milennium Falcon starts to fall to pieces from play, or storage or carelessness, and you're left with a massive pile of pieces, (mixed up with other pieces from other sets), and no real hope of re-assembling the model to its original state, as usually the building instructions are long since lost.

But I think we should see that outcome as much more hopeful, holding much more potential. If we did have all the pieces, and all the instruction manuals, most of us would probably just re-build the same model once again. With the instructions, that is all we could do.

Without the instructions, and without knowing if we have all the right parts, we'd suddenly be free to build anything.

Have a Great Weekend!