We live in a society dedicated to rules. The founding fathers determined the rules we live by in the Constitution, and amendments. The judicial system was established to enforce the enacted rules. And the precedence’s from hundreds of years of cases dictate the legal system we today find ourselves in. We’re also taught from a young age to follow rules in the classroom, around parents, and follow the rules when it comes to employers. The greats learn the rules that don’t apply to them, and break them.
Learning the Rules
Before you break a rule, it’s best to know the rule first. How do you think bank robbers know how to pull off a heist? They study the rules of engagement. They check when the most money will be in the vaults. And they figure out the shifts of security guards looking for the banks least protected time. This is an extreme case of rule breaking, but it’s the same logic as entrepreneurs apply.
When entrepreneurs are searching for opportunities to improve the world, they are learning the rules. How do customers react to certain products? How are certain products marketed, and priced? If I were to get into the space what kind of improvements would I make? They are learning the rules. And they are looking for ways to exploit them.
Breaking the Rules
Applying this method can open you up to newfound opportunities. It doesn’t have to be in business or entrepreneurship. You can apply rule breaking to your everyday life today. Yesterday I wrote a post about an asking question education. Sometimes when I send my messages they are to hard-to-reach people. Most of the time I don’t get a response, but the ones who do are worth it.
Breaking rules can take many forms. A lot of time we believe we live in a society where it’s important to follow rules, and for good reason, our society is built on rules. But a lot of times there are opportunities to exploit which will get you better results, and faster, without weighing on your morals. Look for rules, and look to break them, there is almost always a solution that helps you, which simultaneously helps others.