When to Break Your Own Rules

S6 Ep197: When to Break Your Own Rules

PODCAST
October 13, 2025•2 min read
Custom HTML/CSS/JAVASCRIPT


Hey y’all — welcome back to theDesign for the Creative Mindpodcast! Today we’re talking about something that might surprise you…when it’s actually smart to break your own rules.

Your rules exist for a reason — they protect your time, your profit, and your sanity. But sometimes, breaking oneintentionallycan lead to big opportunities. In my case, one rule I broke turned intohundreds of thousands of dollars in profit— no joke.

So in this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on:

  • Why your business rules and boundaries matter

  • When they turn from protection to a cage

  • How to know the difference between astrategic exceptionand afear-based compromise

Because business doesn’t live in absolutes — it lives in the messy middle.

IN THIS EPISODE, I SHARE:

  • Why boundaries and rules eliminate decision fatigue (and chaos!)

  • The difference between bending a rule for strategy vs. breaking it out of fear

  • Real-life stories from my firm — the good, the bad, and the “what was I thinking?” moments

  • The $100K+ example of breaking my “no weekend work” rulethe right way

  • The painful lessons I learned from breaking rulesfor the wrong reasons— like discounting from fear or saying yes to a client who wasn’t a fit

  • My personal framework for deciding:Am I doing this for strategy or for fear?

You’ll walk away knowing exactly when to hold firm — and when to give yourself permission to flex.


Rules protect you — but they can also box you in. The real power comes from discernment: knowing when a little flexibility can actually strengthen your business.

If you’ve ever wrestled with questions like “Should I make this exception?” or “Am I being too rigid?” — this episode will help you decide with clarity and confidence.

Remember: flexibility isn’t weakness — it’s wisdom. Or as Kenny Rogers said,you gotta know when to hold ’em and know when to fold ’em.

RESOURCES:

INTERIOR DESIGN BUSINESS BAKERY - Our year-long mentorship and coaching program:

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/interior-design-business-bakery

SIMPLIFY YOUR MARKETING, SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE. All-in-one software that organizes sales, marketing, and business services all in one convenient location.

https://mysidemark.com/

MARKETING MEMBERSHIP - Join our hands on marketing & visibility program, no contract, only $59/month.

https://thedesignbakehouse.com/lead-lab

Stay in touch with Michelle on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thedesignbakehouse/

Join our Free Facebook Community:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/idbizlaunchpad

Get clarity on your next best step today!https://www.designedforthecreativemind.com/reviewguide

Have ideas or suggestions or want to be considered as a guest on the show? Contact me!https://www.DesignedForTheCreativeMind.com/contact

interior designer mlinteriorsgroupinterior design podcast
Michelle Lynne owns and operates her interior design firm, ML Interiors Group in Dallas, TX. She is also a renowned business coach for interior designers at the Design Bakehouse, where she teaches designers how to make six-figure leaps in their businesses. She is also the founder of Studio Works, a coworking space for interior designers, and a co-founder of Sidemark, the all-in-one sales and marketing software for interior designers. Michelle is currently serving as President for the Interior Design Society DFW Chapter.

Michelle Lynne

Michelle Lynne owns and operates her interior design firm, ML Interiors Group in Dallas, TX. She is also a renowned business coach for interior designers at the Design Bakehouse, where she teaches designers how to make six-figure leaps in their businesses. She is also the founder of Studio Works, a coworking space for interior designers, and a co-founder of Sidemark, the all-in-one sales and marketing software for interior designers. Michelle is currently serving as President for the Interior Design Society DFW Chapter.

Back to Blog