(Un)Establishing some rules

Having made it over half-way through the first semester of graduate school, I am really beginning to understand a few things about myself and my artistic processes through the eyes of my peers and professors. OK, I'm not to the point of understanding, but I am developing a deeper self-awareness that goes beyond my studio practice. The concept of "rules" has come up recently, as in rules that I set for myself when I am making something. There is my process, the thoughtful procedure I develop in order to turn an idea into a work, and then there is the process of my process, the subconscious barriers that keep me thinking along specific lines, following specific patterns as I make. I really thought I had some things figured out when I started school. RULE: there must always be a set direction and plan. I thought I was ready to make make make, be an artist, produce work, etc. RULE: once a path has been established, it must be followed to the end. But I feel like I'm starting from scratch, redefining what I thought I knew, creating foundations more than work. It is very uncomfortable: I don't really feel like I've made a resolved piece yet! RULE: everything I make must be a finished and successful piece of art. But I am learning a lot, discovering many questions and NO answers. How did I let these rules establish themselves to the point where I don't even see them anymore, only feel discomfort when I push away from them? RULE: the rules cannot be broken. You ARE your rules. How deep might they go? How are they affecting my work? Which are fundamentally important and which are holding me back? This goes much deeper than artwork, unfortunately. I am a carefully constructed and regulated being. And yet, as scary as it might be to allow myself to swim out into the unprotected waters beyond my understanding, it is also very exciting. I have a feeling that the only way I will truly succeed is to just go for it, really put myself out there. First rule to break: failure is not an option.