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Just a quick reminder…

If you only follow the rules others set for you…

If you only do what others call “safe”…

If you never risk everything…

If you never step out of the norm…

There’s a chance….

Someone could drown…

Sometimes you have to step away from the established rules and traditions of men in order to do something no one has ever done…

You have to go where no one else has gone…

You have to refuse to play it safe…

You may even have to break someone’s established “rules”…

Be honest…if there were only two options…

Which sounds more appealing to you?

Playing by the rules…

Or…

Doing something others say couldn’t…or shouldn’t…be done…

Have you ever had to break the rules to do something worthwhile?

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 4 Comments

  • That's true Ron! If we look at the whole of the history, people who have left legacy are those who have dared to go beyond 'playing safe' in their life. The poem “Road Less Traveled” by ‘Robert Frost’ is a good reminder on this front. I believe that we can always take calculated risks but not mindless rash decisions. Risk and reward go hand in hand. Successful people always knew this principle and they go for it at appropriate time.

    I am looking forward to the book " Weird: Because Normal Isn’t Working" by 'Craig Groeschel' which deals with our today's topic. Hope it will be an interesting read.

  • tfdopie says:

    Ron, I love pushing beyond the limits and constraints of rules and established norms. In my job I am constantly trying to do something new and worthwhile. However, sometimes I think I take that to the extreme. Where do you draw the line between breaking rules to do something worthwhile and being a good follower? (such as Michael Hyatt recently blogged about) Let me also say, I work for a controlling leader, could some of the response I receive about breaking norms and pushing limits simply be a result of being under his leadership? Or do I often let my desire for change overwhelm everything else? Your thoughts? There is probably an entire blog post in there. haha

    • ronedmondson says:

      That's a great question and it's a constant battle for me. If you read my blog regularly, then you know I like to create environments where people can test the boundaries and do things new. Perhaps one of my biggest leadership pet peeves is the controlling leader, and I've worked with them (and been one) so I struggle with that one too. My top strength on Strengths Finders is Control. I have to guard against it. So, I do understand the balance between the two.

      For me, I try to build checks into my life to help me know when I'm being too controlling or when I'm breaking the wrong rules. I do that by allowing people around me to speak into my life. My wife…my boys…the people on our staff. I'm consistently asking, "let me know if I'm out of bounds somewhere here"…"let me know if I'm missing something"…even…"let me know if I'm not Biblical here in my approach". Then, I have to be humble enough to back away when all the people I trust are saying the same thing. I love this passage from Ecclesiastes 7:16-18 "So don’t be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand, don’t be too wicked either. Don’t be a fool! Why die before your time? Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes."

      You're right…it's developing into a whole blog post, but I would say, allow some people to help you determine when you are stepping out of line.

      Hope that helps.