Do you feel most teaching systems don't apply to you?

Some of us thrive following a system to the t. Being told exactly what to do, when to do it, and how to do it. This is perhaps why articles and YouTube titles like "Three Ways to Achieve Success" or "Five Steps to bla, bla, bla” are so popular.

But, if you happen to be anything like me, you mightn’t have faired with such approaches too well. Preferring to do things your own way.

When I look back on my life, I've often found joy in following systems to a certain extent. For example, I had a phase where I delved into Buddhism. I loved the chanting and the meditations. Still, I reached a point, where there were so many specific requirements on how to practice to become an advanced student, that I didn’t feel so inspired anymore and I eventually stopped. Being more of a free spirit, it had felt too restrictive.

This pattern repeated itself in different aspects of my life. In Acting, I was passionate about the Lecoq method and thoroughly enjoyed the training. Learning everything I could. But I would never become one of those theatre makers, who solely create Physical Theatre pieces. Adhering to this specific style.

Instead, I would reach a stage where I'd start being curious what else was out there, seeking to carve out my own  path. And I don’t think I am the only one, who feels like that.

Adhering to  rigid systems, especially in the arts and creativity sector can be dangerous. Often we find a mentor, whose approach we are fascinated with. And we start doing things exactly the way, they are teaching them. Merely copying their style instead of finding our own.

For instance, in Germany, in the area where I lived, there was a well known artist called Gerhard Wendland. I always could recognise his pupil’s paintings, because they were so similar to his own style.

It’s tricky! Because we obviously want to find a good teacher and learn from them. But at some point we need to detach from them again and explore other avenues that feel close to our heart.

Very much to my own frustration, I find there’s many people out there, teaching very defined systems they personally have developed over the years and which have been successful for them. Be it a certain marketing tool or something else within the self improvement arena etc. There’s often the promise, that if you keep to the plan laid out, you won’t fail…

Of course I am well aware, that this works for many people, having a clear set out plan to follow. But it doesn’t cater for everyone, especially those who, like me, prefer a more adaptable and flexible approach.

Personally, I would either get hung up on thinking I have to do it this way and then get frustrated with it, or rebel completely against it and not do any of those things anymore.

In my opinion, there  is an utter lack of teaching approaches that are more tailored to individual differences. While there are some universal principles, we can take into account, we also have to acknowledge, that each person is unique.

When teaching people something specific, or when helping them to embark on the journey to change for the better, I often don’t see enough flexibility.

Unfortunately it’s far too often ‘my way or the highway’.

We can see that in so many areas in our lives. For example in my own experience, doctors very rarely have been interested in what I had to bring to the table, trying to heal from chronic illness.

Usually it’s:

‘Do this, do that, exactly the way I tell you.’

It's very easy to get lost in someone else's system, having to give up on yourself to follow what the other person has in mind. Ideally there should be more of a collaborative spirit with both parties bringing their knowledge to the table to find a good way forward.

My belief in open-mindedness, flexibility as well as curiosity is why I cherish improvisation so much. It affords us to get in touch with ourselves, to experiment and stay playful.

This mindset fosters  growth and discovery, unlike the constraints of a strict system.

In conclusion, while structured teaching approaches can be beneficial, they don’t necessarily work for everyone. We should strive for more adaptable systems, that take individualistic traits into account, when guiding others through learning or change.

Encouraging people to find what works best for them, rather than adhering strictly to a predefined system, can lead to more fulfilling and authentic outcomes.

So, let me ask you:

‘Are you more of a free spirited rebel like me? How has it been following certain systems?’

If you have trouble with too strict systems, you might wanna consider exploring my work. I’d love to hear about your experiences with systems.