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Inability to follow instructions

Trainspotter

Ever since I constructed my first Airfix kit many decades ago, I have found it very difficult to follow instructions.  (and this does not just apply to construction kits but in any form such as being told to do something).

I used to just ignore the instructions in an Airfix kit probably because I didn't understand them or the technical language used.  I just put the pieces together as I saw fit and got something which resembled what it should have been and also had a quite a few pieces left over.  This technique has also been used by me with Flat-pack furniture.

Hand in hand with this is wanting to disassemble things to 'see how they work'.  Yes, a lot of equipment has been ruined by doing this but I am sure I have learned something from it.  (Even if what I learned was to think carefully before disassembling something).  And also there is thinking about how something works when attempting a repair.  I have managed to repair many things that have 'no user-serviceable parts', the alternative was throwing the article away.

There are also instructions telling me, in my opinion, how to think.  I like to do things my own way, so if I think my way is better I will do it my way.  And it will get me in a terrible state if someone takes me to task about my way of doing things.

Also there are occasions when I don't want to follow instructions for the reason I don't see the point of it.  In the past I have had reply envelopes with the instruction 'affix stamp here' in the top right hand corner.   I have written 'No' and affixed the stamp elsewhere before posting.  And if the envelope was for an official body, I would cross out the 'affix stamp here' and write 'Freepost' on the envelope.  And it seems that the envelope still gets through in those circumstances.

So how do others react to instructions and are there any amusing stories one has for not following the instructions?  Or have there been unforeseen circumstances or happy accidents from doing this?  Or does anyone else like to disassemble items for no other reason than to see how they work?

  • I am the opposite in that I need instructions to help me visualise what I need to do before actually doing it.

    This applies to everything from a food recipe to a section of a Haynes manual. I will read through the instructions so I can be clear on all the steps I need to take, why I am doing it and what the outcome will be. Then, if I spot ways of doing it better I will build my own steps into the instructions - so it forms part of my mental plan. Once I have done this I can then carry out the task.

    The bit I struggle with is when instructions are too vague. I find sewing books and cycling manuals can be very bad at this where instructions are ambiguous or there is an element of trial and error. This frustrates me no end.

  • I need instructions to make sense to me. 

    A good example is Technical Lego. Years ago, all Lego models were built from the bottom up so it was logical  and sensible. You built the big bit and then added parts to it. I loved it and I've owned every model ever made.

    This all changed when they introduced the Meccano-style beams and the instructions became abstract - randomly building little sub assemblies that are unidentifyable until they all magically fall together on the last page. There is NO satisfaction building like that.  I've built a few of them but not enjoyed any of them - they get built and then immediately sold on Ebay - I've no desire to keep them.