Ive always compared engineering to a portrait or painting, different shapes and sizes.

I remember I was about 17 when I thought that learning the “correct” methods would allow me to work on anything and everything.

Fortunately the cure for being young and ignorant is having teachers and mentors willing to guide you.

Along the way a mentor gave me the opportunity to speak to a student of my biggest influence so far as an engineer.

In a nut shell I was told to “lean into yourself and bet on what makes you different. Hopefully it works out”.

I lacked experience so I tried to ignore that truth at some points, I would go in directions against my gut instinct. Push sounds to points I felt were wrong.

I had others and my own pre-programmed beliefs to do it “the proper way” influencing my decisions.

Given a couple of years and it’s become more obvious, getting Mozart to play Jimi Hendrix, Picasso to paint like da Vinci or Disney to shoot like Cameron could work. Emphasis on the could.

Without learning the tools and studying your craft you don’t have the opportunity to find what you don’t like. If you can only use a hammer you will look at every problem like a nail.

This applies mentally and physically.

Quincy Jones was told “Your music can never be more or less than you are as a human being”.

Ive learnt to find my lane now, I know what I don’t like and I can execute on what I like. As an artist or engineer, finding and achieving what you believe is the best, rather than the “right” way.

Don’t look back at 80 knowing you were operating on fear, even if you have to switch lanes short term.

J