thanks everyone for the input, hopefully there will be some more, although i've found some other threads with many thoughts too.
some good points and yes, i can't forget to look at what it is i want to photograph and ask questions. also look at composition, focus, and i think i'll try to imagine what it is about the scene that i might want to modify in post - a better way to say that would be imagine the end result and then make i capture it all properly to help get there.
it now seems that a lot of photos i've browsed recently, immediately look like they have been "very" manipulated. some, look like it could be strait out of the camera or slightly manipulated. what's interesting here is, i think i'm beginning to understand and therefor see differently - more critically? and i'm not saying this in a negative way.
i think i'm better understanding the references in this thread and others. and as far as the idea of not limiting yourself based on rigid rules and guides, well i like that idea best. don't pollute your own original ideas of creativity with those of others - don't try to be someone you are not!
speaking of that, it's hard to not immediately use a new technique because lightroom has a new feature and suddenly everyone is making similar looking photos. but i guess in the end we can't avoid the pollution and ultimately add our own to the mess
but i think i cover that in #2 as long as we adhere to what "we" or "you" like about a scene. add your own creativity and if someone else doesn't like it that's their right!