My Current Life Rules

In one of my last blog posts, I talked about how I used Chat GPT to help me determine some of my deepest held beliefs.

That was helpful in understanding myself a little better. Read it here.

I thought the next logical step would be writing the code that I tend to live by, but crystallizing it as a current state of myself, but also as a reminder of the things I want to work on.

And side note… it’s kinda fun to reference my own rules in my life.

So, here is what I have so far:

1. Don’t Get Hurt

This is more than not being injured physically. It’s the proactive approach to making myself as good as I can be.

It also represents risk mitigation in dangerous situations and to not do things that will damage myself psychologically, emotionally, or spiritually. It’s my version of Warren buffets #1 rule of investing. “Don’t lose money.”

Long-term orientation > short term gains

2. Don’t forget Rule #1

And just like Uncle Warren, it’s that important.

3. Take Risks

I’ve always found it funny how anytime you do anything, a loved one will say,”stay safe” or “be careful”.

I believe in taking risks and taking chances in life.

So, in an effort to not over index in safety, rule number 3 exists.

4. Embrace Impermanence

Everything is fleeting. Pleasure, pain, and everything in between. Embrace that.

When something negative happens to me, I catch myself in the moment and say, “this will pass”… and I will always come back to baseline.

Why can’t you be at peace now instead of waiting?

I do believe that it is important to mourn losses and feel my emotions. I actually think that embracing impermanence is the ultimate gratitude for all things that happen to me in my life.

And that’s why I like this practice.

5. Be Mindful

This one also has a few meanings. This, at its base level, is all about kindness. Give grace to others and truly help people when I’m in their presence.

Some sub-rules or guidelines for this rule are:

Be mindful of myself… how I feel in this moment, and the life I am living.

Be my own best friend and secure in the games I decide to play in life.

Be immensely curious and seek to understand as much as possible

Find peace and flow every day.

And most importantly be here, right now as much as possible.

This rule is hard and takes constant practice.

6. Make Little Nick Proud

I’ve always been a dreamer. I’ve always been chasing goals. And I think it’s important to impress two people with the life I create.

Little Nick

I want a younger version of me to be inspired by what I am doing and reaching.

I don’t want to compare myself to any other person individually, which is somewhat natural to do. I just try to resist it and reason with myself to play my own game and get my gratification from what I do for myself, not what I do against others.

This rule is all about reaching your own potential and making that kid proud of who he became.

7. Easy to do, Do it now

It’s a rule I’ve lived by ever since I had the realization about it in college. I always wondered why others struggled so much with procrastination.

And it’s not like I don’t put some things off, I certainly do. But I realized the hack to procrastination.

If something is just as easy to do now as it will be in the future, always do it now.

This is a life-changing rule.

As humans we always give future versions of ourselves more tasks, as if we won’t be as busy then.

The only time I will not do the quick thing right now is if it will make me severely late for something else. Most of the time, the reason we leave something for later is simply because we are being lazy.

8. Don’t interrupt the Compounding

I am only 25 right now, but when I listen to older people that I view as wise, they say a couple things repeatedly.

One is to not take on too many things because you’ll go much further with focus on one task than split focus on multiple tasks.

They also say choose wisely on the things you commit time to.

And this is important because the cost of switching from trying to be the greatest dart thrower to the greatest tennis player is basically starting from scratch.

If your goal is to be great at something, make sure it is something you truly believe you will want to be doing 10 years from now.

Friendship, marriage, training, work, skill development. I want to orient myself towards mastery to get the most out of my life.

This inherently means that I have to think ahead. It’s a good exercise to consistently have in your life btw. I like planning for the future and checking on on the goals as time goes on. It’s the best way to get “there”.

Whatever “there” means.

9. Take Life Seriously

If you’re lucky, you have 80 years to be alive.

And let’s not kid around thinking that all of those years are productive.

I can’t even remember ages 0-10 other than the fact that I was loved and I was happy. two things I do not take for granted.

I also know those last five years of my life are probably going to be kind of a waste too.

Then add in that we sleep for about 1/3rd of the day and boom… 43 years of time to be alive.

What am I doing with that time? It sure as hell won’t be doom scrolling on TikTok. So take life seriously.

10. Don’t Take Life Too Seriously

Just a good reminder that you’re not that important.

Everybody cares about themselves and doesn’t care that your hair looks funny today.

You’re the only person that cares about that.

Honorable Mentions

Do the right thing

Take ownership

Go out of your way to help others if needed

Optimize for your ideal life not societal idealism

Remove ego
- Jocko, compassion, being a better human, forgiveness.

Let me know what you would add!

– Nick