I have a make-up organiser that sits on my table. For month’s I put my eyeshadow palettes in the one section, but they never really fitted properly. I got used to them not quite fitting and made do. One evening, while chatting on the phone and packing things neatly, I accidentally put the palettes back in the opposite direction. I was about to correct my mistake, when I realised . . . they fitted perfectly when placed the “wrong way”. I had got so used to them not fitting, and because I was busy and my brain was tired, I just made it work. I never thought such a small difference in size would make things work so much better!
My ‘Aha’ Moment
This made me stop mid-conversation. This simple ‘mistake’ made me ponder. I thought, “How often do we get used to things that are not right, just because it is comfortable or we are used to them?”. I wondered, “How often have I got so focused on a problem that I don’t see the simple solutions?”. In Oprah’s words, I had an ‘Aha’ moment. It was as if time stood still as I breathed this all in.

What I Learned
- Can’t figure out a problem? Take some time doing something fun (away from the problem), return with a fresh perspective OR
- Try looking at things from a different perspective, do things that are unconventional – this often sparks creativity.
- You don’t have to live with things that make you uncomfortable. Now, I don’t mean that good, uncomfortable feeling that pushes you to do and be better. I am talking about that instinctive, this-is-not-right, uncomfortable feeling.
- Don’t compare yourself to anyone else, the way you do things may be ‘wrong’ for someone else, but might be just right for you, Goldilocks ;).
What do you do the wrong way? I’d love to hear!
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