Break the Rule Be Normal - First Challenge

Own Your Weird

Welcome to your first challenge

You had enough curiosity and openness of mind to take the Rule Finder Quiz, and perhaps you’ve discovered that you’ve been following the rule, Be Normal. Now you’re ready to explore what you can do about it.

You’re in the right place.

Humans are unique.

Each and every one of us has unique strengths, eccentricities, and shortcomings. Accepting the entire package of these is the key to finding our natural and most fitting contribution in the world.

There was a time that we had no problem doing this.

But, we’re trained to fit in rather than stand out, conform to the norms and conventions of culture to make it easier for society to operate with limited approaches to things like education, fashion, politics, and career paths. In addition, we’re also trained to give the stink eye to anybody who dares to be different. We stop inviting them to parties, leave the lunch room when they enter, or ignore them in meetings and public places.

It’s painful to embrace our differences and be overlooked, or even shunned. This makes following the rule Be Normal a safe, though not very fulfilling, lifestyle.

The problem is, when we hide our authenticity, especially regarding our feelings, it’s hard for others to get to know us, and even harder to get to know ourselves. And knowing ourselves is the fundamental way we find our own unique success path as a professional.

Want to break the rule Be Normal and be more authentic in your life?

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Here’s the Challenge

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Own your weird

This simple challenge for breaking the rule Be Normal will help you reflect on what you may be suppressing in the name of fitting in. As an exercise in self-awareness it will help you see if there is a gap between the real you and the public you.

Pull out your favorite writing tool to engage this quick exercise.

• List ten things about yourself you think are weird and typically keep to yourself.

• Now pick the weirdest thing and write down what you imagine others would think of you if they knew this.

• If you had to tell one person who didn’t already know this thing about you, who would it be?

Give yourself the time and space to go into as much detail as you wish in answering each of these.

There is no right response in terms of length, content, or clarity. Simply let yourself explore the exercise and record what arises.

The first step in the rule breaking journey starts with gentle self-awareness. There’s nothing you have to do here, you’re just planting seeds for your unfolding.

If you’re reading this on the go and want to work with the challenge later, just use the share button to send a copy of the challenge to your own email address.

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Want more challenges like this?

If you enjoyed this first challenge and you’d like to see a few more sample challenges for breaking the rule Be Normal and finding your own path to authentic expression—just click the button below.

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Welcome again, and if I can be of any help, please let me know by replying to your welcome email or any other email sent to you from Break a Rule.

Rick Lewis
Professional Misbehaver &
Break a Rule Founder

“Normal is just a cycle on the washing machine.”

Whoopie Goldberg