The 12 Rules I Live By (What are yours)
Archives: Daily Issues | Productivity
The one thing I admire about people who have strong nutrition beliefs is their dogmatic behavior.
For example, a vegetarian, under no circumstances, will ever eat meat. There is no, “well, everyone else is having a burger, so just this once, I will too.”
That’s not how it works.
Not when a vegetarian has a strong personal philosophy that they never, ever, ever eat meat.
And that strong personal philosophy guides them to guilt-free behavior that is congruent with their goals.
I’ve also taught my fat loss clients to develop their own personal philosophy – essentially a set of rules that dictate decisions, and I’ve also created my own rules that determine how I live my life so that I reduce guilt, stress, and wasted emotional energy.
Now the purpose of this email is not to say that my personal philosophies are wrong or right.
Instead, they are simply here to encourage you to adopt your own rules for the sake of living a better, more productive stress free life. You may have your own rules in your head, but I encourage you to put them in writing. And you can adopt a set of rules for every aspect of your life, from health to financial to family and business.
These are the 12 rules I live by.
- I go to bed and get up at the same time 7 days per week (9pm and 5am.) I do not deviate from this schedule unless it is due to an important (and this word is not used lightly) work or social function. I stick to a diet of whole, natural foods, avoid caffeine after 1pm, and avoid alcohol within 3 hours of bedtime.
- I write for at least 60 minutes first thing every morning.
- I do not check email before 9am.
- I do not talk on the phone unless it is a schedule interview or conference call.
- I create a to-do list at the end of every workday and I follow that to-do list starting first thing the next morning. I also perform my daily readings at the end of every workday, and I write in a gratitude journal. I am thankful everyday for identifying my mission and what I wanted to do with my life at such a young age.
- I do not engage in confrontations with anyone, in-person or online. This is a waste of time and energy. If I have caused harm, I apologize and fix the situation. However, if someone simply doesn’t like something I have done or something that I do or disagrees with me, that is fine, but I’m not going to get into an argument about it. For any confrontation-like situation, I simply take a deep breath, relax, breathe out, and re-focus my efforts back on my work and goals.
- I am guided by these two phrases:
a) “Nothing matters.” – By this, I mean that arguing on the internet changes nothing…I can only work towards the major, massive goals that I have set for my life…that I have a vision of helping others, and there is no time to let petty arguments stand in the way.
b) “It will all be over soon.” – This servers me in both good times and in bad.
In hard times, such as bad days, troubled times, or intense physical effort or discomfort, I know that it will all be over soon. A small amount of suffering now will be forgotten later when I will enjoy the rewards of my work. And in good times, I will remember that life is short, and I must make things count now, and no matter how good things are going I must never let myself become soft and lazy,because I have too much to accomplish in such a short time.
- Everything that happens to me – good and bad – is my personal responsibility. I blame no one but myself. These are the choices I’ve made – this is the life I’m living. I will accept the consequences of my actions.
- I will not stop until I have helped 1 Million men and women transformed their lives – physically, financially, or emotionally.
- I will not be the person I don’t want to be. I will not be petty, jealous, or envious, or give in to any other of those lazy emotions. I will not gossip or speak badly of others, no matter who I am with or what environment I am in. I will not be negative when it is easier to be positive. I will not hurt others when it is possible to help. I will know the temptations, situations and environments in life that I must avoid, and I will, in fact, avoid them, even if it means loosening relationships with others who “live” in those environments. It’s my life and that matters more than what other people think of me.
- “I will always keep the child within me alive.” – Frank McKinney. I will laugh everyday. That’s not hard when you have the friends – and dog – that I have. And if they don’t make me laugh, there’s plenty of comedy on Netflix.
- “I will write with honesty and feeling.” – Ted Nicholas. I’ve long since giving up caring about how others choose to judge me. What matters more than other’s opinions is the number of people that I can help by sharing advice and encouragement in my writing. The most powerful songs are written by songwriters who bare their souls. So screw it, let’s do it. Let’s put it all out there. I’m not going to help as many people as I could if I keep the “real info” to myself. I also understand now, better than ever, that sometimes you have to “write to repel” in order to strongly attract the readers you desire.
So that’s it. These 12 rules allow me to live my life with less guilt, more energy, and more productivity than if I did not have these personal philosophies outlined.
Now I know there will be two types of reactions to this content. First, some will dismiss it – and dismiss me.
But to those people, remember the point of the list is not for you to sit there and think, “Oh, what a total weirdo. I never want to hang around with this guy.”
Instead, the point of the list, the idea, the article is to simply stimulate your thinking.
And that’s the 2nd type of reaction you can have to this article.
This is the reaction of the people who I’m interested in – the people who will realize what’s holding them back is not a lack of knowledge (because the knowledge is out there and freely available), but instead, it is decision making.
Listen, I know that every week you make decisions that leave you full of guilt and remorse, but on the other hand you also make decisions that you know are correct – even though they are difficult to make.
Wouldn’t you be better off if you made MORE correct decisions with less effort?
Of course, and that is where you rules to live by, your personal philosophies, come into play.
With this post, I’ve given you a model so that you can create your own personal philosophies that will allow you to make the correct decision and fewer decisions that leave you with remorse.
As a result of making more correct decisions, you’ll move closer to your goals and suffer less frustration. Life will be simpler once you start adhering to your own personal philosophies – and not worrying about what others think.
I’d like to hear your personal philosophies and life rules. Just add your thoughts to the comments section below.
With honesty and feeling,
Craig Ballantyne
Editor
Early to Rise
“The surest way to accomplish your business goals is making service to others your primary goal. The key to success is adding value to other’s lives.” – Kekich Credo #87
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Craig,
Once again this is a very timely post! How did you get into my mind…?
These 12 rules are inspiring and I believe paint a bigger picture then what see and do every day.
Warmest Regards
Mike
not caring what others think resonates here – you may appreciate this:
http://www.higherpraisetube.com/audio/Jesus_Forgive_My_Heart_(Audio)
Graig, I have taken your inspiation and developed my plan and journal this morning, and I can honestly say I will adheare to my 13 philosophies for the rest of my life. After being unemployed for the last 16 months I have found work and have started to be more of what I really want to be. Oh, and it is success is 1% inpiration and 99% perspiration. Appretiate what you do for others because one of my rules each day is to help at least one person each day feel good about themselves. Thanks again! Douglas
Sell, Craig, I truly appreciate your 12 points. I shall compare them with my own list to possibly improve mine (updated last in June of 2009). My most demanding point is “I am thinking big, helping two billion people and more by 2013″. How? Working on the basic principles to eliminate human diseases. The indicated website was only opened early this month and designed to explain the facts in simple terms. I cite some of my recent and most critical scientific papers in selected issues of my newsletter.
Thank you, Craig, for communicating your 12 points.
And all my wishes for more success in 2012.
George.
Thank you! I am going to start putting mine Goals together today!
NICE!
Your rules and your life are inspiring.
All the best,
Jack Turnbull
Everyone, have their own lifestyle, depending upon their own workstyle. Humans are social animal, we need to live along, with all the people without differences to caste, creed and religion.Whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, smoker or non-smoker, alcoholic or nonalcoholic, mutually adjusting to their likes and dislikes. Though I wish to go to bed and jump out of bed by time it is not feasible because I do not like to go to bed and call for sleep instead go to bed when I desire to sleep.Avoid drugs and alcohol. Avoid addiction to anything but for spending time wisely and knowledgeably, being of help to others and be helpful to self.
I am going to forward this on to my most forward-thinking and progressive clients and friends. Excellent advice! Great timing!
Thanks be to the One Above, I’ve already got rules to live by. He’s provided me, through organized religion, with better rules than I could ever come up with myself.
Fabulous timing as I will add this to my planning for 2012! Although I’ve had my own rules that I live by, I’ve not taken the time to put them into writing. Thanks for the inspiration!
There is alot to think about in your article. You are right – we have to stop living lives in relation to what other people think about us. I am determined to do this from this day forward. Thank you so much.
Craig,
I believe that everyone can benefit from a Code of Behaviour. Thank you for being bold enough to share yours with us as an excellent template to work from.
You are correct in that decision making is the key to a great life.
Take care.
Bar no. 2, this is basically how I choose to live my life. I use that first hour to work through a litre of rain water and do yoga, go for a run or lift weights – physical activity in the early hours really sets me up well for a productive day.
I would probably add in that I always choose to do what works for me personally, rather then chasing something which does not serve my body, mind + spirit. And thus I never expect other people to do something that doesn’t sit right with them.
Thanks Craig – Glad to hear someone other then myself chooses to wake up at 5!
i certainly use this as a cognitive paradigm applicable as desired, and adjusted to meet my purpose. thanx
Great stuff! Reminds me of some of the stuff my idol Rick Houcek dishes. Good reminder to improve mine.
As a Christian I must have God and Christ as the center of my life. Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing.” I start with a daily attitude of gratitude directed heavenward. This attitude and His love in me are then directed outward to my fellow man. There is no greater joy than that found in the giving of yourself from the abundant resources of God in you.
Craig,
I (as always) impressed by your clarity of thought and insight. I have been working on most of the 12 points – and hope to make progress on *all* of them in 2012!
The world *needs* this stuff – keep spreading this enlightend view!
In gratitude,
Ani
I think it more important to find the beliefs you know is possible to achieve. Small steps then gradually improving them. You always need to to keep an open mind for change if certain beliefs do not work for you.The rest is logical just not easy for everyone to constantly apply. Such as healthy sleep habits, nutrition and thoughts. But this also falls in line with proper time management to get these things done and not let those very same beliefs become a burden.I believe more in the quality of your work as opposed to the time in which it takes to perform the same tasks.But what keeps that belief in check is also the belief that I should be able to accomplish my goal within a normal work day. More time does not equal better results. You have to be able to master your beliefs not just live by them.
Thank You & to a productive, healthy 2012 for everyone.
Raybe
Dear $ir,
It’s really, mind blowing article which can helps to everyone to stay connected with our own personal goal. I’ll definitely try for it…
I’ll be see you with my personal commitment to this article…
Wow, I couldn’t agree more! For so many years i have carried with me so much hurt, dissapointment and negativity that I allowed it to consume me! once I am able to let go of it and not look back I will be able to find peace and happiness within myself as well as others. You have inspired me to take control of my life and my actions, and stop making excuses. Its is not until I begin to live positively that positive things will come my way! Thank you!
Have a happy and healthy 2012!!!
Danielle G.
Thanks Danielle, happy to help. Happy New Year
Thanks for sharing your list Craig. It has inspired me to make my own list because I can see how it would help you live a much happier and joyful life.
I rise early 7 days per week (5am) no matter what.
I associate myself with men and women of great consciousness and good quality as I esteem my own reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad company’.
“A lady always knows when to leave”: You may not be called to everybody, but you are called to somebody. Even Jesus said, And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick…(Mark 6:5). Everyone is not going to accept, celebrate, and like you. This has no influence on who you are or your gift. Know when to exit and depart.
“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down (Proverbs 14:1)”. All activities, words, and actions should be toward advancing and building my legacy. You don’t have time for idleness and laziness.
this is a very humble and downs Earth post that will definitely leave an impact on anyone’s mind in “food for thought”
I’ve bookmarked this article so I can browse over it every so often. Seeing others lay out their framework for productivity and happiness, even though mine looks different, helps me to re-focus when I’ve gone slightly off-track.
Thanks Craig!
Thanks a lot Craig, for this piece of insightful writting on ‘12 Rules For My Life’.
You seem to have gone into the inner recesses of my mind in outlining the above rules, because I have often questioned myself if, I was making the best use of my time and resources, if I was in the best Job or environment that I should be in, amongst many other soul-searching questions at the back of my mind.
I have come to the conclusion that I must live life by my own rules, while helping others at the same time, in other to become fully contended with life.
Thank you so much for opening up my eyes on what ideal living really ought to be like.
Hi there, this has truly inspired me afresh. I always encourage people to take it easy… you are just a fantastic philosopher..
Thank you…
Love this post and there are a lot of same rules I live by as well, especially 5,8,10. Now I want to create my own 1,2,3,4 and start to live by 12! Thanks for sharing and keep going!
If you intended to make your readers do some thinking and reflecting, then you have succeeded with me! I am a little awestruck by how clear and dedicated you are to your “12 rules.” I think the thing I like best is that living these rules puts you completely in control of your life and your decisions. (No getting caught up in any “if this” or “unless this” or “as long as he/she does/doesn’t”) Now, I’m going to start thinking and working on a list of my own rules. Thank you for the post.
This was such a great post. Now I want to set aside some time to come up with my own framework of rules to live by. Thank you so much for this thought provoking post.
Great inspiration and a disciplined plan for life.
Very timely advise and will definitely start adopting this. Spent too many years dealing with the negativity of Corp America that does not care about their people or their customers. Then got the big C which is a wake up call to change my life. Scary to venture out on my own but hope this will guide me to success. Thank you for all your wisdom you share with us. The pen is indeed mightier than the sword.
This Article I Very Fine
I came across ‘12 Rules’ randomly about 2 months ago and not having time to read and ponder, I thought I would come back another time. But I failed to note down the url….. and all my searches of ‘emails before 9′ (one that caught my eye) came to naught!
Until today – I found it on a search of ’set of rules for my life’ …. Fantastic! Inspiring! Time to draft my own. Thank You!
Bron