We enter competitions to 'stretch our tendencies'.

    Being an expert in a class of building or project or scale of work is valuable, but change is even more critical. We aren't engaged in a lifelong refinement of a style or a single idea, though there are some admirable designers who are.

    We compete not just to win, though we love to win, but to try the next idea or break a comfortable habit. Too much change is disruptive, but too little is stifling.