Standard Practice

Each business or profession has, what may be termed as its "standard practice". This definition varies from profession to profession, and business to business. A consultant has a modus operandi that varies from an accountant's. A bookkeeper's focus is different from a public accountant's. A stock broker's trade will vary from that of a self-directed registered portfolio owner's. If you are a daily trader, you may capture daily gains and jump out at the end of the day, especially if you play on margin. If you short stocks, you may be especially careful of the roller coaster ride of your stocks.

Therefore, we do not stand out like sore thumbs from others in our field. We do what others do. We are not ducks in a row. Nonetheless, when regulations change, we follow suit. When invited to a black tie dinner, we do not show up in scruffy jeans and tank top. At the beach, we do not recline in the sun in a cocktail dress (unless this is a wedding photo shoot).

Does this mean that I do not acclaim individuality or creativity? By all means not. We must be ourselves, we must be different, we must be creative and imaginative. However, that is the standard practice of an artist: to break the mold.