A personal code for living a better, happier, more successful kind of life
Some people seem to find life easy. They glide effortlessly onwards and upwards, always saying and doing the right things, whatever the situation. Everybody likes them - they are great to live with and great to work with. They are happy, have time for people, and always seem to know what's important - and how to deal with those things that aren't.
Is there something they know or do that we don't?
Is it something we could all learn?
The answer is a resounding yes. They know The Rules of Life. These Rules are the guiding principles that will help you get more out of life, shrug off adversity more easily, and generally be a happier, calmer, more fulfilled person. You'll feel the benefits, and so will everyone around you.
This edition includes a bonus section, 10 Rules for Happiness, which are all absolutely central to living a happy life.
Rules for you 1. Keep it under your hat 2. You'll get older but not necessarily wiser 3. Accept what is done is done 4. Accept yourself 5. Know what counts and what doesn't 6. Dedicate your life to something 7. Be flexible in your thinking 8. Take an interest in the outside world 9. Be on the side of the angels, not the beasts 10. Only dead fish swim with the stream 11. Be the last to raise your voice 12. Be your own adviser 13. No fear, no surprise, no hesitation, no doubt 14. I wish I'd done that - and I will 15. It's OK to give up 16. Count to ten - or recite 'Baa baa black sheep' 17. Change what you can change, let go of the rest 18. Aim to be the very best at everything you do - not second best 19. Don't expect to be perfect 20. Don't be afraid to dream 21. If you're going to jump off a bridge, make sure you know how deep the water is 22. Don't dwell on the past 23. Don't live in the future 24. Get on with life - it's whooshing past 25. Be consistent 26. Dress like today is important 27. Have a belief system 28. Leave a little space for yourself each day 29. Have a plan 30. Have a sense of humour 31. Choose how you make your bed 32. Life can be a bit like advertising 33. Get used to stepping outside your comfort zone 34. Learn to ask questions 35. Have dignity 36. It's OK to feel big emotions 37. Keep the faith 38. You'll never understand everything 39. Know where true happiness comes from 40. Life is a pizza 41. Always have someone - or something - that is pleased to see you 42. Know when to let go - when to walk away 43. Retaliation leads to escalation 44. Look after yourself 45. Maintain good manners in all things 46. Prune your stuff frequently 47. Remember to touch base 48. Draw the lines around yourself 49. Shop for quality, not price 50. It's OK to worry, or to know how not to 51. Stay young 52. Throwing money at a problem doesn't always work 53. Think for yourself 54. You are not in charge 55. Have something in your life that takes you out of yourself 56. Only the good feel guilty 57. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all
Partnership Rules 58. Accept the differences, embrace what you have in common 59. Allow your partner the space to be themselves 60. Be nice 61. You want to do what? 62. Be the first to say sorry 63. Go that extra step in trying to please them 64. Know when to listen and when to act 65. Have a passion for your life together 66. Make sure your love making is making love 67. Keep talking 68. Respect privacy 69. Check you both have the same shared goals 70. Treat your partner better than your best friend 71. Contentment is a high aim 72. You don't both have to have the same rules
Family and friends Rules 73. If you are going to be a friend, be a good friend 74. Never be too busy for loved ones 75. Let your kids mess up for themselves - they don't need any help from you 76. Have a little respect and forgiveness for your parents 77. Give your kids a break 78. Never lend money unless you are prepared to write it off 79. Keep schtum 80. There are no bad children 81. Be up around people you love 82. Give your kids responsibilities 83. Your children need to fall out with you to leave home 84. Your kids will have friends you don't like 85. Your role as a child 86. Your role as a parent
Social Rules 87. We're all closer than you think 88. It doesn't hurt to forgive 89. It doesn't hurt to be helpful 90. What's in it for them? 91. Hang out with positive people 92. Be generous with your time and information 93. Get involved 94. Keep the moral high ground 95. Just because you have, doesn't mean they have to 96. Do compare yourself with other people 97. Have a plan for your career 98. Look at the long-term ramifications of what you do for a living 99. Be good at your job 100. Be aware of the damage you are doing 101. Be for the glory, not the degradation 102. Be part of the solution, not the problem 103. Check what history would say about you 104. Not everything can be green 105. Put something back 106. Find a new Rule every day - or occasionally at least
