Breaking the Rules

I’ve always hated rules.

At school, half of them felt made up just for the sake of it. Ask “why?” and you’d get a shrug, or a scalding. Now that I’m older, I get it. Rules are usually there to protect us. But they’re also created for the lowest common denominator. And unfortunately… that bar is low.

Sound familiar? If you're reading this, you're probably someone who's built a structured life with your own set of rules that keep you healthy, productive, and sane. Rules that serve you, until sometimes, they don't.

I like avoiding the rules. At least the harmless ones.
But here’s the kicker: I rarely break my own.
Ask my wife. We’ll be 41 minutes into a Netflix episode, and if the clock hits 9 pm, I’m out. Bathroom. Book. Bed.

Why?

Because I have a rule, be in bed by 9:15 pm, reading, so I can wind down properly and fall asleep by 10. It’s not just discipline, it’s self-preservation.
And I have plenty of these:

• Wake up early.

• Train before the sun (and the excuses) rise.

• No midweek madness.

• Measure macros, monitor sleep, and move deliberately.

They keep my brain and body humming. Until… they don’t.

Then Fatboy Slim happened

My brother was visiting from London a few weeks ago, and we found out Fatboy Slim was doing an intimate, one-night-only set in Sydney.

Let me say this loud: I love Fatboy Slim. The man is in his 60s and still delivers the energy of a barmitzvah DJ. Plus, he holds sentimental value; he was the first DJ my wife and I ever saw together after getting married.

But… It was on a Wednesday night! That’s a school night.
Cue the inner voice:

• “You’re not 25 anymore.”

• “You’ll miss your morning workout.”

• “The kids need you in the morning.”

• “You’re gonna feel it the next day.”

I almost let the rules win. But then I paused and did something new.

I wrote myself a permission slip

Not literally. But mentally. I gave myself permission to skip the gym. Permission to sleep a little less. Permission to live fully, just for one night.

And it was bloody glorious!

I was metres from the stage. The beats were deep. The crowd was a vibe. And I was dancing with my brother like it was 2003.

Looking back, it was a total no-brainer. The upside obliterated the downside. And the downside? Mostly made up in my head.

Here’s why breaking the rules matters:

Most of us are trying to live “balanced” lives. But real balance comes from knowing when to flex and when to hold firm. This idea is backed by actual research:

1. The 80/20 Recovery Principle
Research confirms: 80-90% consistency yields better long-term results than striving for perfection. The reason? Sustainability trumps intensity.

2. “Planned Hedonism”
Dr. Laurie Santos (The Happiness Lab) often advocates for scheduling joy deliberately. The anticipation of these breaks actually strengthens your commitment to difficult habits the rest of the time.

3. Daniel Pink's Break Theory
In his book When, Pink reveals that strategic rule-breaking refreshes your mental energy and sparks creativity better than relentless discipline.

So no, this isn’t me telling you to ditch your routines. But it is me suggesting you:

• Be disciplined enough to build structure

• Be wise enough to know when to bend it

• Be kind enough to let yourself enjoy life’s exceptions

So here’s what I want you to try this week:

Write yourself a Permission Slip
Skip the workout. Eat the burger. Go out on a weeknight.
Do something joyful, spontaneous, and slightly off-script. Not because you’re giving up on your goals. But because you’re committed to something bigger:

Sustainability.

One day, your future self won’t remember that missed gym session.
But they will remember the Wednesday night when Fatboy Slim reminded you that your life is about experiences with people you love.

And, that’s all folks!

Thank you for reading the latest edition of my newsletter.
As always, comments and feedback are welcome.

And, please don’t be shy to share this with a friend or family member. Each week, I’ll share something that helps us find balance.

Peace, love and growth.
Jazza

PS - Did you know?

I work with a small, select group of humans and business owners.

Some are looking for a co-pilot to stop white-knuckling the controls, and others want coaching to achieve that elusive thing called “balance” (yes, it exists… allegedly).

I’m fully booked at the moment, which sounds very cool and exclusive, because it is. But if you’re the kind of person who plans slightly ahead of their next meltdown, reach out for a 15-minute chat.

We’ll see if you’re weird and brilliant enough to join the list.

Tell me what keeps you up at night (besides questionable lifestyle choices).
Let’s Chat