[adsteel_]

In less poetic terms, the progression I talk about is "copy, choose, create". First, we learn to copy a solution. Later, we know enough solutions that we can choose the best for the situation and copy that one. Finally, we know enough to create our own solutions that are well adapted to the problem.

[randito]

For people wanting to dig into this idea some more, I'd recommend the book by Austin Kleon called "Steal Like An Artist." Also, there is some nuance in the book about copying and stealing, without being a thief.