--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You have to follow the old rule for a…" description: "\"You have to follow the old rule for a while. In fact, once you master the old rule, you are then the master-and masters get to change things.\" — Peter ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf5/peter-mcwilliams-2236_change-things_you-have-to-follow-the-old-rule-for-a-wh_2805917.png" --- # You have to follow the old rule for a while. In fact, once… ![“You have to follow the old rule for a while. In fact, once you master the old rule, you are then the master-and masters get to change things.” quote by Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf5/peter-mcwilliams-2236_change-things_you-have-to-follow-the-old-rule-for-a-wh_2805917.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf5/peter-mcwilliams-2236_change-things_you-have-to-follow-the-old-rule-for-a-wh_2805917.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bf5/peter-mcwilliams-2236_change-things_you-have-to-follow-the-old-rule-for-a-wh_2805917.png) > “You have to follow the old rule for a while. In fact, once you master the old rule, you are then the master-and masters get to change things.” [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Master the old rule first; then you can become the master who changes it. **In simple terms:** Learn existing rules before reshaping them. Key Takeaway Gain mastery before innovating. Themes learning mastery innovation Mood analytical encouraging Type educational motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - skill development - leadership training - creative projects Key Concepts rules expertise change Questions to Reflect On - When is it appropriate to break a rule? - How do you know you’ve truly mastered it? A Different Perspective Old rules may resist change despite mastery. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [The art of being a slave is to rule one's master.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diogenes/the-art-of-being-a-slave-is-to-rule-one-s-master/) [Diogenes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diogenes/) > [Because the newer methods of treatment are good, it does not follow that the old ones were bad: for if our honorable and worshipful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/because-the-newer-methods-of-treatment-are-good-it-does-not-follow/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“Do not follow the same old path others have worn out trampling on,go where there is no path to begin a new trial.If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/uzoma-kelechi/do-not-follow-the-same-old-path-others-have-worn-out-trampling-on-go/) [Uzoma Kelechi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/uzoma-kelechi/) > [We must follow the old authorities and precedents in criminal matters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/we-must-follow-the-old-authorities-and-precedents-in-criminal-matters/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [The reason I can't follow the old eye-for-an-eye philosophy is that it ends up leaving everyone blind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/the-reason-i-can-t-follow-the-old-eye-for-an-eye-philosophy-is-that/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I don't want to follow the same old cookie-cutter ways of getting people's attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/everlast/i-don-t-want-to-follow-the-same-old-cookie-cutter-ways-of-getting/) [Everlast](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/everlast/) > [“I think now of the old rule that held that should a boy be set upon in someone else's chancy hood, his friends must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ta-nehisi-coates/i-think-now-of-the-old-rule-that-held-that-should-a-boy-be-set-upon/) [Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ta-nehisi-coates/) > [“It's a primary law of this world that the old rule the young, that one must serve mine's time. It is no question of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erich-maria-remarque/it-s-a-primary-law-of-this-world-that-the-old-rule-the-young-that-one/) [Erich Maria Remarque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erich-maria-remarque/) > [“There's an old rule of theater that goes, 'If there's a gun on the mantel in Act I, it must go off in Act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-king/there-s-an-old-rule-of-theater-that-goes-if-there-s-a-gun-on-the/) [Stephen King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-king/) > [Because the good old rule Sufficeth them,-the simple plan, That they should take who have the power, And they should keep who can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/because-the-good-old-rule-sufficeth-them-the-simple-plan-that-they/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [The big leap that happened to me and my business came to me when one of my rules disappeared... 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The new rule is: CREATE REMARKABLE PRODUCTS THAT THE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/the-old-rule-was-this-create-safe-ordinary-products-and-combine-them/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Exceptions are not always the proof of the old rule; they can also be the harbinger of a new one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/exceptions-are-not-always-the-proof-of-the-old-rule-they-can-also-be/) [Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-von-ebner-eschenbach/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) ## More by Peter McWilliams > [Heroes became heroes flaws and all gives us hope. "You mean I don't have to be perfect to fulfill my Dream, to make a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/heroes-became-heroes-flaws-and-all-gives-us-hope-you-mean-i-don-t/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Choosing what you want to do, and when to do it, is an act of creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/choosing-what-you-want-to-do-and-when-to-do-it-is-an-act-of-creation/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [there is nothing to be done. only accept it... and hurt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/there-is-nothing-to-be-done-only-accept-it-and-hurt/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nothing adventured, nothing attained](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nothing-adventured-nothing-attained/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [If you want peace with others, don't fight them. Go your own way. Live your own life. If some walk with you, fine. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/if-you-want-peace-with-others-don-t-fight-them-go-your-own-way-live/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Pettiness seems to go hand in hand with vindictiveness. The smaller the person, the larger the need for revenge. This may account for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/pettiness-seems-to-go-hand-in-hand-with-vindictiveness-the-smaller/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Prison is a crash course in the darker side of life. Few survive it without becoming a different person: more cynical, jaded, fearful, angry.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/prison-is-a-crash-course-in-the-darker-side-of-life-few-survive-it/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [One of the great joys of life is creativity. Information goes in, gets shuffled about, and comes out in new and interesting ways](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/one-of-the-great-joys-of-life-is-creativity-information-goes-in-gets/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Nausea is an unsolved problem of medicine and marijuana is the finest anti-nausea medication known to science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/nausea-is-an-unsolved-problem-of-medicine-and-marijuana-is-the-finest/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Worrying is the interest paid on a debt you may not owe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/worrying-is-the-interest-paid-on-a-debt-you-may-not-owe/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Be easier on yourself, on everyone, on everything. Suspend your judgments on the way things should be, must be, and ought to be. Suspending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/be-easier-on-yourself-on-everyone-on-everything-suspend-your/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [I feel that I am entitled to take medicinal marijuana. In general, I believe that everyone who has a doctor's prescription is entitled to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/i-feel-that-i-am-entitled-to-take-medicinal-marijuana-in-general-i/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Running from fear only strengthens fear-you are demonstrating that fear has power over you. Fear must be faced and gone through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/running-from-fear-only-strengthens-fear-you-are-demonstrating-that/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Positive thoughts: joy, happiness, fulfillment, achievement, worthiness, have positive results: enthusiasm, calm, well-being, ease, energy, love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/positive-thoughts-joy-happiness-fulfillment-achievement-worthiness/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) > [Some people think that meditation takes time away from physical accomplishment. Taken to extremes, of course, that's true. Most people, however, find that meditation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-mcwilliams/some-people-think-that-meditation-takes-time-away-from-physical/) [Peter McWilliams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) [Explore all 177 Peter McWilliams quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-mcwilliams/) ## More Change things quotes > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. 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Maybe it’s up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-hartzler/i-m-not-saying-jesus-won-t-come-back-i-ve-just-decided-i-can-t-keep/) [Aaron Hartzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-hartzler/) > [What really distinguishes this generation in all countries from earlier generations ... is its determination to act, its joy in action, the assurance of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hannah-arendt/what-really-distinguishes-this-generation-in-all-countries-from/) [Hannah Arendt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hannah-arendt/) > [“why would white dudes want to change things when they held all the cards?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wally-lamb/why-would-white-dudes-want-to-change-things-when-they-held-all-the/) [Wally Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wally-lamb/) > [“Gandhi is best remembered for his adherence to the principle of nonviolence; but no less important was his adherence to non-demonization. Even when he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-truett-anderson/gandhi-is-best-remembered-for-his-adherence-to-the-principle-of/) [Walter Truett Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-truett-anderson/) > [Simply having rules does not change the things that people want to do. You have to change incentives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/simply-having-rules-does-not-change-the-things-that-people-want-to-do/) [Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/) > [I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I believe that prayer changes us and we change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-used-to-believe-that-prayer-changes-things-but-now-i-believe-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You cannot change the things, so you don't need to stress if you're going to change them. So why complain? It looks so simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrey-rublev/you-cannot-change-the-things-so-you-don-t-need-to-stress-if-you-re/) [Andrey Rublev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrey-rublev/) > [I'm always trying to change things - change my character, change my look, change my hair, change my facial hair, change my costumes, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-jericho/i-m-always-trying-to-change-things-change-my-character-change-my-look/) [Chris Jericho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-jericho/) > [When something doesn't go your way, never lose hope in Allah. That faith could be just enough for Him to change things around for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-something-doesn-t-go-your-way-never-lose-hope-in-allah-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When you're a black superhero, you can't erase the notion that you're black. If you're black, living in the community, and you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheo-hodari-coker/when-you-re-a-black-superhero-you-can-t-erase-the-notion-that-you-re/) [Cheo Hodari Coker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheo-hodari-coker/) > [It's crazy how much time can change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alaska/it-s-crazy-how-much-time-can-change-things/) [Alaska](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alaska/) > [The point of the essay is to change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-point-of-the-essay-is-to-change-things/) [Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/) > [“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. Try to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/you-may-not-control-all-the-events-that-happen-to-you-but-you-can/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) Browse all 661 Change things quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You have to follow the old rule for a while. 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