Adapt Like a Chef

The best chefs don’t just follow recipes—they understand them. They know why certain flavors work together, why some ingredients can be swapped and others can’t, and how small tweaks can take a dish from good to great.

It’s not about reinventing the wheel every time—it’s about mastering the basics so they can adapt, experiment, and make something their own.

I used to think that a structured life was boring. I didn’t want to listen to people who mapped out the details of their day. I wanted to feel my way through my work and believed that discipline would kill my creativity.

In my 20s, I did some professional singing. When I took it seriously, I put in the work—I studied the music, learned the songs, and practiced consistently. And once I knew the music inside and out, I could improvise and make it my own.

But when I didn’t do the work? It showed. I’d get lost in the middle of a song, forget the lyrics, or feel too unsure to experiment. I thought structure would limit me, but it actually gave me more freedom. When I knew the basics, I could play with the music instead of overthinking every note. That same principle applies everywhere. When I knew the basics, I could play with it. I could be fully present and enjoy the music, instead of spending the entire time worrying about what came next.

The same applies to almost everything in life.

Musicians learn chords before writing songs. Artists learn classic techniques before developing their own style. Athletes build strength before trying advanced moves. Creativity doesn’t start from scratch—it starts with understanding what works.

If I want to make mashed potatoes, I don’t have to start from zero. I already know that potatoes need to be cooked, softened, and mashed. From there, I can play—maybe I add garlic, swap butter for olive oil, or mix in something unexpected. But all of those choices come from knowing the foundation first.

There’s freedom in that.

Because once I understand the basics, I don’t have to second-guess myself. I can trust what I know and start adding my own twist.

Good chefs don’t ignore what works—they take what’s useful and build on it. Learning the basics isn’t about following rules forever; it’s about having the confidence to break them in the right places. The more we understand, the more we can explore, experiment, and make things our own.

ACTION: Pick something you do regularly—cooking, work, a hobby—and take a quick step back. Look at the basics behind it. What’s the “recipe” that makes it work? Spend a moment revisiting a foundational skill, then see how it influences what you do next.

Adapt Like a Chef

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