Knowing How to Draw a Rectangle Is Easy—Knowing When Is the Challenge

A few years ago, I thought mastery was all about learning how to do things. I’d spend hours practicing—learning new tools, following tutorials, and perfecting techniques. I felt accomplished, but something was missing.

Then, I faced a challenge where my usual methods didn’t work. I knew how to execute a task, but I struggled with when to use which approach. That’s when it hit me—true expertise isn’t just about knowing how to do something; it’s about understanding when and why to do it.

Once that clicked, everything changed. I stopped just collecting skills and started thinking about their purpose—when to use them, why they mattered, and how they fit into the bigger picture. It shifted the way I learn, work, and solve problems. And if you want to go beyond just being skilled and truly master what you do, this mindset shift will make all the difference.

The Difference Between Knowing How and Knowing When

Imagine two designers working on the same project.

• One knows the software inside out. They can create shapes, tweak colors, and adjust layouts with precision. This is procedural knowledge —knowing how to perform a task.

• The other understands the bigger picture. They don’t just create a rectangle; they know why and when a rectangle is the right shape for the design. They think about balance, meaning, and impact. This is conceptual knowledge —knowing when and why to apply a skill.

Why This Matters in Every Field

This isn’t just about design. It applies to everything:

• A programmer who memorizes code but doesn’t understand when to use a specific algorithm won’t solve real-world problems effectively.
• A chef who follows recipes perfectly but doesn’t understand flavor balance won’t create great dishes.

Mastery isn’t just about execution—it’s about decision-making.

How to Develop Both Skills

If you want to move beyond just knowing how to do things, here’s what helped me:

• Ask “Why?” and “When?” Regularly – Whenever you learn something new, ask yourself why it works and when it’s best applied.
• Experiment in Different Situations – The best way to understand something deeply is to test it in different contexts.
• Learn from Experts, Not Just Tutorials – Watch how experienced professionals make decisions, not just how they execute tasks.
• Reflect and Get Feedback – Sometimes, you don’t see what you’re missing until someone else points it out.

The Path to True Mastery

Looking back, I realize that anyone can learn steps, follow rules, and execute tasks. But those who truly excel—the ones who stand out—are the ones who think before they act.

I’m experiencing this firsthand right now. I’m learning Game Development, exploring tools like Unreal Engine and Godot. I understand how they work—I know the interface, the features, and the workflow. But it hasn’t clicked yet. I don’t feel the same confidence applying my knowledge to real problems the way I do with Figma or other tools I’m comfortable with. That’s because I’m still in the phase of knowing how—I haven’t fully grasped when and why.

And that’s okay. Because mastery isn’t instant. It’s a process of learning, applying, and most importantly, understanding the deeper purpose behind the tools and techniques.

Because true mastery begins where simple skill ends.