There are no set rules, rather suggestions of what works for each person. And just because it works for me doesn't mean that it will work for you and vice versa. The only time you should follow "rules" is if you'd paid for a seminar/workshop where there's famous teacher like Carol Doak, Ricky Tims or whomever. Then follow their instructions to the letter. Later you can pick and choose which of those instructions you want to adapt for yourself. The only reason I say that is because you've paid money to learn so go ahead and learn their methods. You never know what you might want to keep.