In 2010, I wrote down a set of “first principles” for my life. I asked myself:
“Which rules, if I lived by them for the rest of my life, would make me as happy as I can be?”
The result has been stuck on my pin wall for over 7 years now. Most of them apply today as much as ever. Here’s a picture:
They’re in German – and my horrible handwriting, so here’s what they say:
- Let go what has to be let go.
- Accept what has to be accepted.
- Simplify.
- Have few things of good quality (includes friends).
- Always be honest.
- Always focus on one thing.
- Don’t drink.
- Don’t justify.
- It doesn’t matter what others think.
- Don’t buy new cars. Lease or buy used.
- Only today matters.
- Do more, especially traveling.
- Exercise.
- Be grateful.
- Eat good food.
- Don’t get into debt.
- Be outside.
- Read.
- Screens off at night.
- Early to bed, early to rise.
- Listen to music.
- Drive.
- No stocks (broke that one).
- 5-Finger-Rule (When did you last eat? Go outside? Sleep? With who? Why?)
- No expectations.
- Don’t talk behind people’s backs.
- Don’t judge others.
- Money doesn’t matter.
- Don’t blame others.
- Have no secrets.
You might say this is just a piece of paper. And it is. It’s not a rulebook I keep referring back to or even look at every day. In fact, most of the time since then I haven’t even lived at my parents’ house.
However, the sole act of writing down the principles by which I want to live engraved them not just on this sheet, but on my heart, brain and soul.
Leaving them up there makes them feel…perennial. Like the piece of paper on the pin board, I persist.
There aren’t any valuable things everyone should know. There’s only what’s valuable to you. What you should know. Deep down I think you’ve long realized what those things are.
Give it a try. Write them down. Make your own rules.
I made mine. And so can you. I’ve been as happy as I can be ever since.
