Several months ago, I tried a new mascara. My daughter recommended it, and since her eyelashes are fabulous, I gave it a go. I failed: I poked myself in the eye, smeared it on my lids, and just basically did not see (pun intended) the same results.

I gave up and went back to my old brand.

During a holiday shopping trip, I decided to give the mascara another go. This time, I read up on the product before using it (who knew mascara came with instructions?). Turns out that the application wand has different sides – a short bristle side for getting the mascara down to the lash line, and a longer comb side for lengthening and separating lashes.

Using the wand the way as directed, I saw dramatically different -better!- results.

When I was in high school, I learned the phrase “functional fixedness” which is the inability to see potential beyond an item’s initial purpose. I experienced this when I failed to see the potential (and indeed, the design) behind my new mascara.

I spent all last fall battling functional fixedness within my manuscript. I knew it needed work, but I couldn’t get beyond what I’d already written to see the potential of what could be. After working with a coach who helped me organize my thoughts and broaden my perspective, I was able to revise and develop my story by focusing on certain themes and characters, expanding them beyond limits I’d wrongfully assumed existed.

Ironically, I’ve struggled while writing this post because I feel as though I am using opposing arguments to make the same point, which is this: It is important to know the rules in order to know when to follow them and when to break them. There are times where it’s vital to color outside the lines and times when structure provides much needed guidance. What my experience with my fancy new mascara taught me is to slow down and assess before assuming abject failure. When we examine, really examine, the tools in our toolkit, we might just find we are already well-equipped to handle the challenge at hand.

P.S. This is NOT a paid product endorsement, but if you’re curious, the mascara is Ilia’s Limitless Lash mascara.