"Break the rules Michael? I couldn't do that!" Of courseyou could. In fact, I'd suggest your rules are preciselywhat keep you from having what you want in life.When I say "rules," I mean:* your ingrained ways of thinking.* your hidden assumptions.* your habits.* your misplaced generalities.Rules might also include that which you call "common sense." One of the greatest rule breakers ever, AlbertEinstein, wrote "common sense is the collection ofprejudices acquired by age 18."Are you feeling "stuck?" Are you in a rut? Can't find asolution to an ongoing problem or challenge? If so, likemany of my clients, it's probably one of your rules keepingyou that way.Here's a simple example. A client - who I'll call Janice -really wanted to begin an exercise program, but she hadwritten it off as impossible due to her busy schedule.In our conversations, Janice would say things like "that'sjust the way it is," or "it's out of my control." As Iquestioned Janice further, it became clear one of her rules was "I have to go to a gym to workout."Now that may sound silly to some people, but for Janice, all she knew was "I have to go to a gym to work out, and I don't have time to go to a gym." Like a horse withblinders on, it's all she could see."Janice, who says you have to go to a gym to exercise?"Light-bulb-aha moment for sure. As soon as Janice let go of that little rule, she was able to consider the many other options available to her.Further, by letting go of this particular rule, Janice began walking each morning with her younger sister. The two had drifted apart in recent years, and Janice wanted to strengthen that relationship.Here's another example of breaking rules, although afictional one. In a recent "Seinfeld" episode, thecharacter George Costanza discovers if he simply does theopposite of what he'd usually do in a given situation,he'll get the outcome he desires in that situation.George goes for a job interview with the New York Yankees.When he meets the team owner, George tells him what a lousy job he's done managing the Yankees. Instead of beingpolite and professional, as he usually would, George isrude and obnoxious. Naturally, he gets hired.I don't recommend you follow George's lead . . . not totally anyway. It certainly wouldn't hurt to look at someof your own rules though. Look especially in the area(s)where you feel stuck or in a rut.It might also help to talk it out with someone who'strained to help you find solutions and move forward, suchas a coach. As one of my other clients recently told me, "I appreciate your honesty and directness in pointing outthings that I've had "blinders" on to."Ready to break some rules? Go ahead. You can do it. AsThomas Edison said: "hell, there are no rules here--we'retrying to accomplish something." It may be the onlydifference between a life that's so-so and a life that'samazing.It's Your Life! Make it great.

Author: Michael D. Pollock
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