Too many rules are the killer for creativity

But:
1. Learn to delete stuff early! If it doesn't work after some hours, there is no "flow" and it feels bad: delete the items (leave only the sounds and instruments loaded) and try a different idea with the always loaded sounds.

2. Work not too long on the same project. The best track will be sound boring when working hundred of hours and hearing the same ever and ever. The basic idea should be ready in a short time (not longer than some days). Some weeks for fine tuning, transition effects, mixing etc. If a song needs more than a month than something went wrong.

3. Many non-instrumentalists arranging in small building blocks like 4 or 8 bars. There is nothing wrong with it. But sometimes a melody or an idea cannot be build with such fixed blocks. Don't limit yourself with such blocks if you try to find a interesting melody or stuff. Use bigger blocks (16 bars) or disable the loop or try to work not with such fixed loops.

4. Check yourself
If a idea, track, sound etc. will not sound great the next day(s) think of point 1

Btw... Effects are often a part of the sound. I always arrange using the sound and the effect. Mixing is often a early part, there is not really a different mixing-stage. It sounds completely different to have a raw sound or a sound with effects. This helps to get inspired! Had you ever the feeling that you got quicker a interesting idea while having a reverb/delay on a piano sound? Than you are not alone