Rules are everywhere! They govern so much of our lives that many times we barely notice they are there. We have social rules, safety rules, business rules, school rules, . . . even fashion rules. The list goes on and on. How important to you are rules? What do you prefer to do about them? It seems there are distinctly different ways to relate to the rules in any circumstance. You can create them, keep to them, bend them, or break them. You can even ignore them entirely. (Although, ignorance rarely turns out blissful, does it?!) If you are thinking, “It depends on the circumstances and my goals.” Excellent! The Christmas holiday is upon us and a brand-new year is coming. NOW is the perfect time to examine what you are going to do about the rules you use.
Challenging Rules = NEW RULE worth doing!
We’ve been talking about the value we’ve all received when courageous influencers push the boundaries we know and even change how we “play the game” in some situations. Challenging “The Rules” we live by is another Hard Thing Worth Doing (#HTWD) and just as important. Rules are meant to be challenged.
You certainly don’t need to be wealthy, exceptionally smart or particularly edgy to examine and challenge the rules you’ve been using. I’m not talking about common sense rules like:
- Don’t put metal spoons in the microwave! or
- Don’t expect a different result if you’re doing the same things over and over.
I’m talking about the rules you use to:
- Determine your limitations and your success in achieving goals
- Set standards for your character
- Create and maintain the quality of your relationships
- Teach your children and pass along to them as part of your legacy
In the long run, these are ones that really seem to matter the most, don’t they?
Start with asking some hard questions
It may be a hard thing to do, but it’s worth doing if positive change is important to you. As we travel through December, I hope you’ll stick with me down this road of examining the rules we use in our daily lives.
Start by asking yourself:
- How do you feel about rules?
- Do you feel the need to make sure rules are in place about most things?
- Do you assume they don’t apply to you?
- In your mind, are rules created for good reason and don’t really need to be challenged?
- Are rules merely guides, or are they hard and fast boundaries?
We each have a specific way of relating to rules. Discovering your inner design will also assist you in understanding why some rules evoke almost an automatic response from you and what you can do to challenge that response when it’s important to do so.
- Which rules have served you well so far?
Take the time to write down a few, and include why you feel they’ve contributed toward your success. - Which rules have limited you and kept you from realizing your dreams? Write them down, along with your thoughts on how they might have limited you.
- Do I need some NEW rules for 2018?
This is a great question and one that I hope you will spend some serious time thinking about.
Here’s a question to take with you everywhere for the next 7 days.
WHAT’s ONE NEW RULE I CAN CREATE RIGHT NOW TO MAKE A POSITIVE CHANGE IN MY DAY?
Take this question with you in the car, in the shower, while you’re walking the dog, and waiting in line for coffee. Ask it when you’re filling out those forms, driving your kids to their next activity or sitting in that meeting.
Let’s have some fun with this! And stay tuned for next week’s Rule- challenging Q&A.