I’m writing this post, not because it fits into the general theme of my blog. It doesn’t. No, this post is a reminder of what got me here, and what will get me where I’m going. Take what you will from it, and please feel free to add your own.

Generally, I’m not big on rules, but these are the ones I strive follow:

Rule 1. Make your own rules. Seriously. Do what you gotta do. Who says you have to colour between the lines? Why not make your own lines?

Rule 2. Be honest. With yourself and with others. We live in glasshouses, so what’s the point in lying? And if you lie to yourself, you’re just prolonging the inevitable. You know what that is.

Rule 3. Write everything down. Do it. Right now. When creativity strikes, you have to capture it. In the middle of the night. At the gym. Heck, even in the shower.

Rule 4. Challenge assumptions. Ask questions. Constantly. Of everybody and everything.

Rule 5. Have a reason for everything. If you’re going to do something, make sure you know why. There’s no point in drifting.

Rule 6. Sleep. I use this as a metaphor for being smart about how we operate. If we don’t sleep, there might be more time to do things, but it’s likely that less will get done.

Rule 7. Do things differently. How else are you going to change the world? Or even change your own life?

Rule 8. Do what’s difficult. Most things worth doing are hard to do. And if you’re avoiding something just because of fear, it’s probably the thing you should be doing.

Rule 9. Appreciate the good; learn from the bad. a) Take nothing for granted. b) Everything happens for a reason, whether you know it or not. Just make sure you eventually figure out what those reasons are.

Rule 10. Create things of lasting value. Add value to the world in your own unique way and then share it.

Rule 11. Do what you love. It might be elusive, but IMHO the noblest thing one can do is pursue what they’re passionate about. Work towards it everyday.