I have found time and time again that while internalizing and reasoning about mechanisms and strategy can be useful, one should keep an open mind, experiment, and try new things.

To think one can always hold the entirety of these complex systems in one's head is hubris and disrespectful of the entire field. My favorite designers are those who don't get too attached to big design principles, and the players I am most impressed by are those who keep an open mind and are willing to experiment regardless of what everyone thinks the correct way to play a game is.

Richard Garfield, Magical Athlete Designer Diary