A deeper understanding sometimes means a different understanding.

Usually I figure this out in retrospect. I thought I wanted one thing, but when I received the one thing and something still felt amiss, I realize I was wrong:

What I thought I wanted to get out of grad school: better cello skills.

What I really wanted: to be able to trust my cello chops.

Perhaps previously they felt corollary. But in retrospect, one does not lead to the other. And in fact, the way that I would pursue trusting my skills is very different than the way I would pursue heightened playing abilities.