“The trick in life is learning how to deal with it.”
HELEN MIRREN
- Do not wear sweatpants or flip flops on an airplane.
- Do not stop suddenly on a sidewalk.
- Don’t stand directly in front of an elevator door. Provide space for people to get out.
- Pause between bites of food. Savor it for chrissakes.
- Read every day.
- Expend more calories than you consume.
- Spend only what you have.
- Keep only what you need and cherish.
- Leave a small footprint.
- Use checklists.
- Be present.
- Get help when you need it.
- Prepare and do your research.
- Do not multitask.
- Or, “To do two things at once is to do neither.” (Publilius Syrus)
- Be grateful. Write it down when you can.
- Communicate. Clearly. And often.
- Sit up straight.
- Recognize that the journey is often more important than the destination. Enjoy it.
- Come up with ideas. Try them.
- Be mindful of the people around you.
- You are responsible for your own happiness.
- But serve others too.
- Don’t waste.
- Drink your water.
- Light lots of candles.
- Respect others.
- Don’t waste time on social media.
- Keep learning.
- Say “I don’t know” when true.
- Be aware of your surroundings.
- Learn from history. It’s happened before.
- Follow the rules. Except when they need to be broken.
- Speak your mind. Respectfully. Seek to understand the other side.
- Remember how loud you are eating chips direct from the bag.
- Apologize when necessary. Often when not.
- Spend some of your life looking up from your phone.
- You don’t need that much stuff. But what you do have should be good quality.
- Don’t live with regrets.
- Wash your hands.
- Listen to whatever music you want to. Even if it’s Air Supply.
- Vote. Or stop bitching.
- Identify your creative outlet. And practice it.
- Make lists.
- Stretch.
- Breathe.
- Meditate.
- Practice personal responsibility.
- Practice self-reflection.
- Blow your nose. Don’t snort/sniff.
- Slow down. Take your time.
- Eat your fruits and vegetables.
- Celebrate your victories. But quickly move on to preparing/training for the next one.
- Find joy. You are allowed to be joyful.
- Think long term. Play the long game.
- Practice growth mindset, not fixed mindset.
- Use only one parking space.
- Mind your own business.
- Be nice to staff. You’re not more important than they are.
- Tip generously when deserved.
- Pay more for good, quality food.
- Get a mentor. Or a dozen.
- Be a mentor.
- Let ladies out of the elevator first.
- Put the toilet seat down. Every. Time.
- Change out your hand towels at least a couple times per week.
- Learn/practice discipline.
- Keep strict control of your calendar.
- Learn to say no.
- Always be simplifying.
- Don’t hope for a better life. Simply BE a better life (inspired by Kant).
- Improve the world by improving yourself (also inspired by Kant).
- If you are going to drink wine, drink the good stuff.
- Every now and then, listen to some classical music, just for some cultural balance in your life.
- YOU choose your response to any input (a random Tweet, news article, something your spouse says, etc.). This is your Stoic power, so, choose wisely.
- There is NO excuse for a complicated “unsubscribe” process.
- Only buy really good quality notebooks and ink pens.
- Actively seek out people smarter than you. And learn from them.
- Never wear a button-down collar with a suit.
- Breathe again.
Check back often. I will continue to add new “rules” as life presents them to me…
“Everyone should tape these to their refrigerator.”
BILL D.
Ideas to be developed!