One house: same Christmas lights, same lawn decorations … every year.

Another house: always something new. A new design. A new look. A new show.

Our family enjoys both displays. It’s an annual tradition to drive by each house. But our expectations are different.

For the one, we look forward to seeing what’s familiar. For the other, we expect to be surprised with something we haven’t seen.

* * *

In our own creative practices, does our audience look for the same? Or do they delight in the unexpected?

Both are viable paths, but they’re not the same.

As creators and makers, we need to be clear about which path we’ve chosen. Are we making facsimiles of our previous work? Or are we inventing what’s new and untested?

It may change from time to time, but our answer largely depends on the needs and expectations of those we seek to serve.