Don't be a pedant for self-authored rule-books

Each and every stage of our life is a learning experience in some sense or the other. And there are certain rules and regulations within whose parameters we are required to function so as to derive maximum advantages. An issue that certainly dogsour mind repeatedly at every moment is whether we should be fusspots and nit-pickers for rules or not.

As individuals, we harbour different and at times, conflicting views on the issue of being pedants for rules. While quite a few amongst us would be unwilling to deviate from laid-down rules, there will be many who get pleasure in violating rules and procedures. There will be a third category also who take things casually and weigh situations on need to need basis before arriving at any concrete decision.  However, overall, all of us are inclined to follow some rules in any sphere of activity; the prompting factors for such doings are largelyinstinctive. We may not realise this, but most of the rules are self-imposed and whose reasons for adherence are neither known nor understood.

Self-imposed rules impact your career and prospects for success tremendously. They are generally of three categories:

· Organisational rules:  These are always well enunciated and cannot be breached. All countries have their own laws and it is expected of citizens to not violate them - be they criminal laws or civil laws. That disconcerts many who tend to believe that indulging in acts of swindling, prejudice, aggressive behaviour both within and outside home and persecution are not really decadent activities. But the fact is that such people are lawbreakers. And so are many who, as a habit, violate traffic rules or copyrights. Offenders have to be proceeded against and invariably are by law enforcing agencies.  

· Societal rules:    These incorporate intricate matters like moral principles, beliefs and values. The truth is that community rules are more or less one-sided and to that extent, can be regarded as skewed vis-à-vis official rules. You may have strong viewpoints and reservations on certain matters but there are some situations that will bring about an altered outlook and opinion. Community rules are contingent on situations and perceptions. All of us break them some time or the other, repent for having done so on the premise that to err is human, absolve ourselves and eventually forget whatever we may have done - that people who may have suffered on account of you still remember you is a different matter.     

· Self-imposed rules: These are those that people at every workplace talk about and you get to hear at every workplace. There are some supposed principled men and women who assert that they would never find any middle ground as far as their main beliefs are concerned.  There are also others who swear not to indulge in backstabbing or backbiting. And how can you not notice some who avow not to tolerate particular types of colleagues and bosses. These contentions are what are known as self-restrictive or self-restraining conduct. Ironically, we do not have justifiable rationale for such affirmations and paradoxically, we cannot visualize the results that may follow. 

Some of the self-imposed rules can be rather upsetting and shattering. You do not need to do a deal with your values to move up in your career. But you will not have to let go a lot, including your individual necessities and consider as above all your organizational interests. Perhaps you may not be as honest as is warranted; on the contrary you may be egoistic or self-regarding; and fearful to relinquish that much command. It is also likely that you may be terrified of a failure. As far as backstabbing and backbiting are concerned, every workplace witnesses them and people who claim they do not indulge in them are not honest to themselves. And people who swear not to tolerate particular types of people at work are the grouchiest people themselves.

The fact is that all self-imposed rules lack basis and are all about striving to gain control over matters that are confusing or disorganized. They are unreasoned and impose restrictions over your freedom of action. You get to be misled ourselves to a stage of misbelieving that we hold the reins. The only thing that you gain is some obstacles to your very success. And if success is delayed, your skills and capacities plunge. That is precisely the reason why self-imposed rules are also known as self-restricting conduct.

The best way to break self-imposed rules is by having an illuminated presence. What is presence anyway? It is nothing but a mental frame wherein we harbour opinionsthat are sluggish and unconsidered;and because of which we fail to scrutinize things and make worthwhile decisions. Over a period of time, we lose out on our balance and go off-track.

Therefore, the question that arises is whether you ought to be following rules or not? Well, if you seek to be successful in your career, remember that organisational rules simply cannot be violated. With regard to societal rules, you should exercise due diligence to make judicious decisions. And in the case of self-imposed rules, ask yourself who made them in the first place? The answer itself will indicate to you their redundancy.