I just ask myself, why is it the way it is?

ben alors on vient plus aux soiree? pourquoi ta enleve mon message, c etait pas mal pourtant! ce que tu fais est ni plus ni moins que de la censure reprime par le 34 amandement des etats unis d amerique! cest le debut de toute dictature! hitler, mao....les etats unis deviennent donc une dictature mais de l interieur =. ce sont maintenant les citoyens eux meme qui se censurent? ou va t on??
amicalement
emmanuel et baptiste

I like to think of ways to get around the rules, without having to formally break them. That way if someone steps in my way, not only do I have a legit story but I also gain credibility from creating a unique path.

Common Example: My economic course this last quarter had pop-quiz's which were cumulatively worth 15% of the overall grade. The class was only once a week from 6 - 9:30. From experience I know the only way I learn math is from a book, not a professor in a packed lecture hall. So i didn't take the quiz's. I waited until after the midterm and final, and then asked the prof if an A on the test could equal an A overall in the class. It was a gamble, but it was worth it to bend the rules. I got an A- without ever going to class. Could I have gotten an A if I had gone to class? Of course. But imagine all of the great Thursday evenings I would have missed out on.

I try to break the rules ONLY when the rules don't make sense, and I know that I have a better solution. If more people stood against some of societies most obviously ridiculous rules we could really do some amazing things

I like that - getting around the rules. In my world, that's called finagling. Classes are a prime example of finagling your way to an A.

In finance, there is a curve called the efficient frontier. The efficient frontier is a way to craft the most optimal portfolio with the least amount of risk. I apply this to school by figuring out how I can do the least amount of work to get the best possible grade.

More about modern portfolio theory and the efficient frontier: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Efficient_frontier...

Breaking the rules is fine as along as it doesn't compromise our integrity, which ultimately affects our relationships and business and doesn't hurt others in the process.

One rule that has worked in my life and that is to sow and reap, to give to receive...and that's a universal rule/ principle that even we cannot break. :)

@DuongSheahan

You are completely right Duong. Breaking the rules is great - but yes, please do maintain integrity. And break them in a good way :-)

Ok, so I'm basically fascinated with the idea of breaking the rules. I've written about this a lot and I love how all the thought leaders say it's necessary to break the rules in order to stand out.

I break the rules consistently by not reading advice. I used to read career advice & all that a bunch, but I stopped because it was severely limiting my creative thought process.

Also, I just don't listen to people who say that I can't do something. I just nod and then think to myself that they won't stand out because they believe that it's too hard to get ahead.

"Best practices" "advice" "tips and tricks" - these are all, for the most part, geared towards the masses. The best way to break the rules is to either stop listening or do the exact opposite of what people say you can or cannot do.

Great discussion point!

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Sarah,

You are completely right... we have to break the rules if we want to succeed in any industry.... maybe not break every rule, but we have to be willing to stop playing by others rules, and start being the best at what we are passionate about. Great stuff!

@lewishowes

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