Rules I No Longer Follow

Rules to unlearn—outdated ideas that just get in the way

  1. “You have to wait for inspiration to create.” Inspiration is unreliable. The best work comes from showing up consistently, whether you feel inspired or not.

  2. “Hard work guarantees success.” Hard work is essential, but it’s not enough—timing, luck, leverage, and choosing the right problems to solve matter just as much.

  3. “The customer is always right.” True in some cases, but often, customers don’t know what they need. Great design, writing, and art come from leading, not just responding.

  4. “You should finish everything you start.” Sometimes quitting is the smartest move. Knowing when to pivot or abandon something saves time and energy for better opportunities.

  5. “Follow the rules first, then break them.” Understanding principles is valuable, but blind rule-following kills creativity. Sometimes breaking rules from the start leads to breakthroughs.

  6. “You must specialize to succeed.” Deep expertise matters, but in a connected world, generalists who can bridge different domains often create the most value.

  7. “Good things come to those who wait.” Patience has its place, but waiting without action is often just procrastination in disguise. Most good things come to those who act.

  8. “Never mix work and personal life.” Artificial boundaries between work and life often create more stress than they prevent. Integration beats separation for many people.

  9. “More effort = better results.” Working smarter beats working harder. Sometimes the best results come from doing less, not more.

  10. “Success means always growing bigger.” Bigger isn’t always better. Mastery, autonomy, and depth are just as important as scale.

Honorable Mentions

  • “You need permission to start.” (You don’t.)
  • “Productivity is about doing more.” (It’s about doing the right things.)
  • “Being busy is a badge of honor.” (No, clarity and focus matter more.)
  • “If it’s not perfect, don’t share it.” (Nothing is ever perfect.)
  • “Creativity is something you’re born with.” (It’s a skill that gets better with use.)

Why This List Matters

  • Growth is about unlearning – Often, the biggest shifts in thinking come from letting go of outdated ideas.
  • Many “rules” were never true – They were assumptions, passed down without being questioned.
  • Knowing when to break the rules is a skill – The best work comes from knowing which rules to ignore and which ones to keep.