Sometimes we’re so busy conforming to or rebelling against rules that others have made that we don’t notice our own self-created rules. These can be big (“Never lie”) or small (“No dirty dishes in the sink”), but we get antsy if we have to violate them. The quickest way to jump-start your creativity is to challenge some rule you think you have to live by. Even if you’re uncomfortable, you’ll be freer to walk all around the rule and decide if you like it. Use the examples of self-created rules above and below to get you started on some rule-breaking writing. (Silly-sounding but fruitful idea: Write on unruled paper and see what happens without the lines.)

“You should be able to do it all”
“Reply promptly to every e-mail”
“Being proud is bragging”