I learned early in my tech career, how some people look at things with a set of data, is why many experts make broad claims. I've seen too many things that don't match in prod/life that works as documented/expected. Once you see this enough, you start to think for yourself on why.<p>Also expanding your cognitive skills with communication and maybe debate skills, you start removing the blinders to single points of view, and you start seeing new alternatives/possibilities.<p>Lastly, believing you have to have/be the best for a feature/taste, and not saving money for "good enough", opens up looking into alternatives, and increases thinking for yourself. Not having to be a follower or accept peer pressure.<p>Oh, and as for projects, sometimes there's goals/drivers you don't know, knowing those drivers helps expand your thought processes.<p>All this relates to life outside of work too.