26 Ways > Break Some Rules > Page 2 of 2

#2: Break Some Rules

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By Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com

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Adam and Eve

That third question was an easy throw-in. If you're familiar with the biblical story you know what happened to perfection because of the couple's rule-breaking. Take note: Opening (Pandora's) boxes and eating forbidden fruit should always be on the list of “Rules NOT to break.”

How’s Your Figuring Going?

So, did you give much thought to which rules are necessary in your creative work or did that quiz distract you? To help you along let’s look at two Dictionary definitions of a rule.

A rule is:

1. A guide or principle for governing action.

2. The usual way of doing something.

Guide and principle rules probably shouldn’t be tampered with. Among these might include: art show guidelines, manuscript formats, composition standards, and business protocols. However, the wording in the second definition is a clue to where some rules can be broken.

For example, if your usual way of painting a landscape is setting up a canvas in nature and painting what you see, next time close your eyes and paint what you hear instead. Absurd? Absolutely. But you get my point. Duchamp and cummings both took their art forms and did something unusual with it, resulting in an expanded definition of “what is art?” and they will always be applauded for breaking the rules.

Whether your preferred medium is in art, crafting, writing, performing, cooking, or inventing, there are undoubtedly approaches or rituals you practice the same way that can be mixed up, flip-flopped, re-tooled, experimented with, or discarded. Take advantage of your artistic freedom to break some rules by inventing new and improved ways of interacting with your audience and expressing yourself.

• • • Take Action Now! • • •

Don't be afraid to break some rules. While guides and principles are in place for good reason, “the usual way of doing something” as a rule in your creative work is flexible and open to change.

Which rules should you leave alone? Which rules can you break? Think of one or two rules that you will intentionally break the next time you engage in your creative work. Take note of what happens as the result of your rule-breaking. •

© 2007 Chris Dunmire, CoachingYourCreativity.com. All rights reserved. (05/16/07). Please do not duplicate this article elsewhere without my permission.

Sources: (1) wikipedia.org; (2) understandingduchamp.com; (3) The Bible

About the Author
Chris Dunmire is the author of the Dollar Bill Origami Money Plant and driving force behind the popular Creativity Portal Web site. She finds meaning as an artist, humorist, and creativity coach and channels her overactive imagination into multiple containers on display at ChrisDunmire.com.