A perfect example of the “interconnectedness of things” (i.e. the fundamental principle behind this blog) is the concept of a “living rulebook”.
In an earlier post, I spent some time understanding the rules behind the game “Twilight Struggle”. As I went through this exercise, I started to think about how the concept of a “rulebook” could apply to my own life. Could I have my own “rulebook”? REGEN introduces the “living rulebook” concept which is a set of “rules” that will help guide my life in a better direction - i.e. one that is more aligned with my core values and beliefs.
Here are the initial set of rules that I need to pay close attention to: (in no particular order)
- Be thankful with what you have.
- Be conscious and aware.
- Be comfortable with your decisions and eliminate justification.
- Eliminate / reduce dissonance.
- Know that you are smart enough to continuously reinvent yourself.
- Don’t be afraid of change and the unknown.
- If you feel it’s the right thing to do, then do it.
- You could be gone tomorrow - be happy now.
- Keeping moving forward at all costs.
- If you aren’t adding value, then find a way to do so.
- Be present and be known.
- If you don’t want to do something, don’t.
- Feel and be open to “pain” to allow for greater growth.
- Problems that seem significant now usually aren’t over the long-term.
- Life doesn’t have to become more difficult - it can be easier and more fulfilling.
- Depression lasts only as long as you allow it.
- Solve the problem.
- Don’t be afraid of failure.
- Start something that you are afraid of starting.
- Take calculated risks often.
- Ask permission later.
- You may not be good at something now, but you will be if you keep trying.
- Program your mind in a positive direction.
This “rulebook” also establishes six high-level directional messages:
- Keep Moving Forward
- Live in the Now
- Make Conscious Decisions
- Be Open
- Be Strong
- Think Positively
In day-to-day life, it’s sometimes easy to forget about the things that are most important to guide one’s life. This “living rulebook” is one technique that I think will help me maintain perspective and enable better decision-making in the short and long-term.