Rules for Life
During my life and all the people I’ve met, books I’ve read, and mentors I have worked/studied under, I have compiled a list of rules for life that everyone, especially men, should follow. These rules have shaped the way I have lived and have made me a better man.
This is only 50 rules, I know more will come and I hope these rules help you like how they have for me.
Don’t expect life to be fair, it never will be, and don’t trust people who say life needs to be fair
Never shake a man’s hand sitting down
When you start a business, never hire your friends first
If you’re going to fistfight, hit first and hit hard, and if you hit second make sure you hit harder than they did.
Have a firm handshake
If you are the smartest, most successful, or most ambitious person in the room, find a new room
Make sure you are in order before you criticize the world
Be grateful, even when the world is taking everything from you
Avoid people who are close to people who dislike you
Before you burn any bridges, make sure they don’t cause the bridges you need to catch fire
If you don’t like what is being said, change the conversation
When you are wrong, admit it. When you are right, stay silent
If you are going to pretend to be a gangster have the courage to be a gangster when the real gangster walks into the room
Don’t blur the lines between confidence and arrogance
Everything you’ve ever said will be used against you, but if you are not wrong do not apologize for it
If a woman is wearing heels, always stay within arm’s length of her and always offer a hand when she walks, especially downstairs, so that she does not fall. It might not be a lot for men, but if a woman falls when wearing heels it will damage her self confidence forever
Never let your emotions cloud your judgment, what is done in anger can never be undone
Always pick up the phone when it rings, in a world where everyone text, phone calls are important
Our minds are what will destroy us- the gun might have the bullet but it’s our minds that cause us to pull the trigger
Be the calmest person in the room, but never let someone disrespect you
Jealousy comes in the form of humor, so listen to the jokes people around you make
Never believe in words, always watch their actions
Never trust someone twice, they missed you with the first bullet when they shot you, don’t give them another chance to do that
Always carry a light or a box of matches
A good man is not a weak man, a good man is someone who is dangerous and has it under control. Weak men cause chaos, strong men keep order
The pain you feel will leave you only after you finish learning your lesson
If you wouldn't take advice from someone, don’t take criticism from them
Never tell your secrets to someone who has told you other people’s secrets
If someone is not listening to you, stop talking
In a situation where everyone is panicking, be the calmest man in the room
Be the strongest man at your father’s funeral
Don’t bark if you can’t bite
Sometimes the smartest thing to do is play stupid
There are some games you don’t get to play unless you are all in. So if you want to play the game, you have to bet everything
Don’t mistake someone being peaceful for being weak because they are the most dangerous
Don’t be so desperate for money, success, or love that you drink from every cup that is handed to you because one day it will be poison
Never apologize for being raised right
Always say less than necessary
Protect your reputation at all costs: your friends make your reputation
Never disrespect someone who has the upper hand
Never give more attention to your plan B than your plan A
Don’t be late for dates
Don’t be afraid to lose someone who isn’t afraid to lose you
Only women, kids, and dogs are loved unconditionally, men you have to work to be loved. If you think that is unfair, go back to rule 1
To achieve something you’ve never had, you must do something you’ve never done
Observe more, don’t make a move until you know the situation you are in
When you first walk into the room always look for an exit, an ally, and the enemy
Think outside the box
Don’t let anyone, no matter how close to you, get comfortable with disrespecting you
Always make eye contact
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Parting is such sweet sorrow, but until we meet again.
With love,
Richard