Rules… Love ’em or Break ’em? Which Ones Do You Live By?

Do you have a set of rules you try to live by?

Do you have them written down somewhere, or do they reside in your heart?

I’m a big fan of NCIS. It’s because the writers and cast have done a masterful job of character development. They’re all uniquely different, they have their quirks, but they jell as a team. You feel like you know them.

Gibbs (aka – Senior Special Agent Leroy Jethro Gibbs) is my favorite. And my favorite Gibbs quirk… he’s a man of rules. Some quick Google research reveals at least 70 at last count.

Somewhere along the line, I started my own list of rules. I’m sure it was Gibbs who got me going on this. I thought I would share it with you today.

Think about your own ‘rules’ as you read through them. I’ll invite you to share them in the comments at the end.

Here goes with my first twenty-five…

1. Never stop learning. Try new things. Learning is one of the few free investments that pays huge dividends.
2. Be you. Become aware of who you are and how you tick. Then, don’t fight it and begin to work with it. Be yourself. (Exception: I saw a plaque in a shop window that read, “Always be yourself unless you can be Batman. Then be Batman.” Of course, you can substitute your own superhero).
3. Goals are good… habits are better. Why? Goals can end up one-and-done. Good or bad, habits tend to stick around. (Sounds like another ‘rule’?)
4. Different is better than better. Think about it and apply as you see fit. That’s kind of the point, isn’t it?
5. If it’s the bus you don’t see that’s the one that’ll hit you, look for busses every time you cross. (Thanks Dan!) This rule was born out of trusting a trusted source (not Dan) too readily. Got that?
6. Start before you’re ready, start from where you are, and go with what you have. Remember Donald Rumsfeld’s gaffe, “You’ve got to go with the army you’ve got.” Unpalatable as it may, he had a point.
7. Act, then analyze. Less thinking. More doing. I get stuck sometimes because I forget to try what I’ve just learned. Acting, then analyzing results always gets more traction.
8. Worry about optimization once you actually have something to optimize. Better can be Version 2. Do Version 1 now. Sure, if a little more research will give you a whole lot better result, then do it. But usually, a lot more research only gives you a little better result. We humans tend to get wrapped around an axle trying to make it all perfect from the get-go.
9. If you don’t believe in it, you’ll never stick with it… whatever “it” is. Make sure you believe in it. Or don’t do it. You make your own luck in this world through believing.
10. Get it out of your head and into the world. We all have gifts and talents. Share them. That’s why we have them.
11. It will start out one way and end up another. “No battle plan survives first contact with the enemy.” Be flexible. Be willing.
12. Things can get ugly, but they don’t have to stay ugly. This can apply to a lot of life, right? It’s a journey and all journeys have their ups and downs… their fabulous destinations and their airplane rides.
13. “Don’t take too much advice.” I love this one… it set me free. It’s from an interview with Pinterest Co-Founder, Ben Silbermann. Seek counsel from worthy counsellors, then decide for yourself.
14. Every step forward pays a dividend. Take the step. You have to do the work. Do one thing each day that moves you closer to your goal. Small steps add up to big accomplishments. Celebrate small victories as often as possible. Celebration leads to more victories.
15. Try it. Do it. Fix it. How’s that for simple? Here’s another version… Explore. Experience. Experiment. Exploit. (I’m not so sure about the exploit part, though).
16. It comes down to this… you get to choose. You have more choices than you think you do. That is, if you’re willing to make them. Saying “no” is more important than saying “yes.”
17. You do you… I’ll do me. It’s the universal rule for friendships and relationships.
18. “There’s no one better to talk to than the person you’re talking to right now.” This quote is from internet marketing guy, Stu McLaren. When you talk with Stu, you know you have his attention. Be “interested” instead of trying to be “interesting.” That’s advice from coach and speaker, Mitch Matthews. There’s something you can learn from everyone, isn’t there?
19. Go to the source. This is that old, get it straight from the horse’s mouth adage. It’s a whole lot more accurate than diluted hearsay. For the record, social media doesn’t qualify as a source.
20. What you know to be true may only be partially true at best. Much of what we believe is true or real, we have created in our minds. Your thinking guides your life. Think better, Live better. (Also see Gibbs’ Rule #51 Sometimes – you’re wrong.)
21. One news cycle is plenty. Otherwise, it’ll just make you freakin’ crazy.
22. Look up. Most people don’t. You’ll be surprised by what you see. I first learned this from a friend’s dad who was an FBI agent. Later on, an architect friend pointed out that most people would never see his best work. Why? Because… they don’t look up! (Alt. See Gibbs’ Rule #20 Always look under. Sounds like good advice too!)
23. Often the simplest solution is to get focused and apply what you already know.  I just paid the air conditioning guy $208 to clear a plugged condensation drain. I was thinking elephant, not mouse. You know more than you think you know.
24. If you need help, ask! (Gibbs’ Rule #28). Sometimes this can be the hardest one. I know it is for me. Know this — most people want to help and far outnumber those who won’t or don’t.

Closing with a rule for the rules…

Rules can, and many times should, be broken. If not, at least tested. If not tested, at least questioned. (Also consider Gibbs’ Rule #14 – Bend the line, don’t break it). Seriously, some rules are just plain, well… you know… meant to be broken. But that’s for you to decide.

Now it’s your turn. I’d love to hear your ‘rules.’ Share them in the comments below.

What guides you? What are your rules?