"Imitation is the sincerest (form) of flattery."
Charles Caleb Colton
About a month ago I started CrossFit, which is a really awesome fitness program for the competitive ADHD mind.
Today I learned a new technique for pull-ups and was told that I had already done it naturally. This happens to me often - I am the "monkey see, monkey do" type when it comes to learning new skills. I see the way something is to be done, and unless I completely lack the physical ability, I can do it myself almost immediately.
I was discussing this with my friend after class, and realized that this ability to learn new skills doesn't only apply to physical traits for me. Picking up new concepts only requires a decent imitation of someone who has done it before.
Imitation allows you to skip re-inventing the wheel.
The importance of imitating an existing technique is that you don't need to re-create the wheel all of the time.
This can apply to search engine optimization, general techniques for writing great content, and even strategy for designing an effective website workflow.
By looking at what someone else has done, you can easily recreate the same scenario for yourself.
Where imitation falls short alone: adaptation.
One might think that by imitating the actions that led to someone else's success, that it will automatically generate success for you as well.
Let's consider the pull-ups. If I don't spend time perfecting the technique to my body and focus on my own weaknesses, I will never get to the end result of a perfect pull-up. I can't only do what works for my trainer, because his weaknesses aren't mine. I need to discover what I need to supplement my training to build up the strength and stamina that I lack.
There might be overall principles that apply to both of us (eat right, train hard) but the details are going to be different for me than for anyone else - especially when you consider that motivation works differently for each person.
The same applies to blogging success, or small business success.
Once you've tried a technique or strategy, take a step back and look at the shortcomings. Make sure you understand why you're doing a specific action. Is this something that worked for someone else, but doesn't quite make sense to you? Is this something you can keep going at without fatiguing?
Adapt to thrive.
Imitation is a great place to start. Learn from your masters and peers who have gone before you. Use it to get your feet wet and get your head in the game.
Then, adapt.
Experiment.
Tweak.
Take your personality into consideration.
Take your business into consideration.
Take your schedule into consideration.
Experiment.
Tweak.
Then, adapt some more.
Adaptation isn't just required for survival - it's necessary thrive.