Following Instructions

I know I do well to listen.  Even to my own internal dialogue.  Though it can seem right to me.  I can appear to have all the answers.  The thing is, generally I do not.  No one would know that though.  Especially me.
Often I joke that if something is unknown to all those around then if I say something with authority it is often believed.  Sounds good, but there is a good chance we will all end up in a ditch.
It is too easy for me to despise what someone else tells me.  Often the motive of another is to keep me from making a mistake.  I would do well to listen, but chances are I will not, and it is to my own detriment.
I can be a know it all - someone who cannot be told; someone who thinks they have the big picture.  Though I often only have part of the picture.  It can be a bit like doing a jigsaw and coming up short of pieces.  Chances are, someone else has the pieces I need.  I will never get them if I do not at least ask for them.
It is too easy not to have something because I do not ask for it.  A million dollars may be mine, but it is not mine until it is in my possession.  It is all well and good for something to be potentially mine but potential only is useless.  Actual is useful.
My pride unfortunately can keep me from asking for something.  I would be better off; everyone would be better off; but I refrain from asking and I and others are the poorer for it.  It is a bit silly really if something is within my grasp to have, but I do not have it because I do not ask for it.
We had a guy install a new gas regulator.  The old one had a leak and it was time to replace it.  Talking to him later I found he was into restoring old tractors.  I had never met someone who had that interest, but he did.
I could pretend to have a knowledge of tractors, but he would have seen though me in an instant.  There is a huge difference between pretending to know and knowing.  I, like everyone need to learn.  But to talk like I know all there is to know, does no one any good.  In fact, it can do huge harm.
Guys in particular it seems have a reputation for not following instructions.  I act like I know best and wonder why when I assemble something there are pieces left over.  Yet following instructions is like asking. 
As much I would like to pretend otherwise, I cannot get good at something without following the instructions of those who have been doing stuff a while and are in the know.  Someday I may come up with a better way, but to know it is better I need to know the current way.  Maybe the inadequacy I see is mine rather than the systems.  I will never know without knowing.  That can mean I need to ask.  To me there is more shame in not asking then asking.  There is a good chance that when I follow the instructions, I will see the wisdom of the way it is being done.  (Pro 1:7)