We all learn rules. Most help. Some don't. Here's what I stopped following. Simple and true: many "must-do" ideas just get in the way.

01. "You have to wait for inspiration to create."

Inspiration is unreliable. The best work comes from showing up consistently, whether you feel inspired or not.

02. "Hard work guarantees success."

Hard work is essential, but it's not enough—timing, luck, leverage, and choosing the right problems to solve matter just as much.

03. "The customer is always right."

True in some cases, but often, customers don't know what they need. Great design, writing, and art come from leading, not just responding.

04. "You should finish everything you start."

Quitting the wrong thing is a skill. Some projects deserve to be abandoned so better ones can take their place.

05. "Follow the rules first, then break them."

Often, breaking the rules early leads to originality. Some of the most influential work has come from those who ignored conventional wisdom from the start.

06. "You must specialise to succeed."

Being deeply skilled in one area is valuable, but breadth—knowing how to connect different disciplines—is often more powerful.

07. "Good things come to those who wait."

Sometimes true, but often, action is the difference between success and being forgotten.

08. "Never mix work and personal life."

Creative work is personal by nature. Some of the best work comes from blending personal experiences with professional ambition.

09. "More effort = better results."

Smart constraints, well-placed rest, and strategy often outperform raw effort.

10. "Success means always growing bigger."

Bigger isn't always better. Mastery, autonomy, and depth are just as important as scale.

Honorable Mentions

• "You need permission to start." (You don't.)

• "Productivity is about doing more." (It's about doing the right things.)

• "Being busy is a badge of honor." (No, clarity and focus matter more.)

• "If it's not perfect, don't share it." (Nothing is ever perfect.)

• "Creativity is something you're born with." (It's a skill that gets better with use.)

Why This List Matters

• Growth is about unlearning – Often, the biggest shifts in thinking come from letting go of outdated ideas.

• Many "rules" were never true – They were assumptions, passed down without being questioned.

• Knowing when to break the rules is a skill – The best work comes from knowing which rules to ignore and which ones to keep.