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What are your Principles?
Do you know?
How will you pass on your Principles to those who come after you are gone?
This is not about your religious affiliation (although it can be)
This is not about your morals (but they should definitely be included)
Principles are the guideposts for your life
At the end of your life, you will look back on your decades
Your decades are made of years
Your years are made of months
Your months are made of weeks
Principles are the guideposts for your life
At the end of your life, you will look back on your decades
Your decades are made of years
Your years are made of months
Your months are made of weeks
Your weeks are made of days
And your days are made of (mostly) little decisions
When you make a decision, how do you do it?
Most people do not have a system. Their decision making runs on default.
What influences your default decision system?
And your days are made of (mostly) little decisions
When you make a decision, how do you do it?
Most people do not have a system. Their decision making runs on default.
What influences your default decision system?
*Your emotions in that moment, both negative and positive
*Your friends, family, Google, and other influences
*What you grew up believing whether it is true or not
*Your perception of the world
Let's step into another realm for a moment.
*Your friends, family, Google, and other influences
*What you grew up believing whether it is true or not
*Your perception of the world
Let's step into another realm for a moment.
@Atul_Gawande wrote an incredible 
book called The Checklist Manifesto
In it, he explains how
airline pilots make decisions during a procedure or
emergency.
Do they rely on their knowledge?
Not really.
book called The Checklist ManifestoIn it, he explains how
airline pilots make decisions during a procedure oremergency.
Do they rely on their knowledge?
Not really.
Of course, they need to have the knowledge to fly a plane, but during an emergency, emotions and chemicals run wild!
Pilots have huge binders in the cockpit. In it are checklists to follow during every conceivable process or emergency that one can experience on the airplane.
Pilots have huge binders in the cockpit. In it are checklists to follow during every conceivable process or emergency that one can experience on the airplane.
These checklists were created and refined over decades of aviation.
During an emergency, a pilot only has to think enough to pull out the binder and perform the action that is outlined.
During takeoff and landing, these checklists are consulted so that nothing is missed.
During an emergency, a pilot only has to think enough to pull out the binder and perform the action that is outlined.
During takeoff and landing, these checklists are consulted so that nothing is missed.
This is one reason that air travel is the safest type of travel in the world.
Did a pilot get a rough night of sleep?
Well, the checklist did not forget anything.
The checklist becomes the authority to defer to.
Did a pilot get a rough night of sleep?
Well, the checklist did not forget anything.
The checklist becomes the authority to defer to.
When you sit down and give intentional thought to the principles that drive your life and decisions, you create a sort of checklist. 
The next time you are emotional and need to make a decision, your principles drive your decision because you've already decided the rules.
The next time you are emotional and need to make a decision, your principles drive your decision because you've already decided the rules.
When I die, whether tomorrow or in 50 years, my kids will have a copy of the principles that guided my decisions.
What was dad like?
How did he think?
They will have it all.
What was dad like?
How did he think?
They will have it all.
Whether you have kids or not, you should be giving serious thought to and documenting your principles.
It may be hard to know where to start, which is why today, I am going to share my principles publicly - something I have never done before.
It may be hard to know where to start, which is why today, I am going to share my principles publicly - something I have never done before.
PLEASE NOTE: My Principles are my principles. Your Principles will be your principles.You might disagree with my principles - that's okay.
I am not saying that I am right on every principle I have documented. (some of them, I am
)But, this is what guides my life.
Over time, if principles are truly incorrect, time will reveal the errors to me.
Just as they will for you.
You can take and use any or all of my principles.
I do not own these principles. I believe these are truths and that they are to be used to guide my life and decisions.
Just as they will for you.
You can take and use any or all of my principles.
I do not own these principles. I believe these are truths and that they are to be used to guide my life and decisions.
Ready?
Here we go!
Here we go!
*Stewardship*
General Stewardship
Psalm 24 - The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
General Stewardship
Psalm 24 - The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
Stewardship expresses our obedience regarding everything God has placed under our watch.
If you complain (about anything), you are asserting that you know better than God, and that whatever He has given to you is not right for you.
Never complain; never explain.
If you complain (about anything), you are asserting that you know better than God, and that whatever He has given to you is not right for you.
Never complain; never explain.
One day we will be called to give an account of what we have done with what God gave us (Matt 25:14-30), and what we have said (Matt 12:36).
*Finances*
It all belongs to God, you cannot take it with you.
Live on little, save some, give most.
It all belongs to God, you cannot take it with you.
Live on little, save some, give most.
*Spirituality*
Five Short Rules for Christians (Brownlow North, 1810-1875)
1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers.
Five Short Rules for Christians (Brownlow North, 1810-1875)
1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that He hears your prayers.
2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read, remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon all that He says.
3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus.
Every day reflect on what Jesus has done for you â and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for Him?"
Every day reflect on what Jesus has done for you â and then ask yourself, "What am I doing for Him?"
4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong â then go to your room and kneel down and ask God's blessing on it. If you cannot do this, then it is wrong.
5. Never take your standard of Christianity from other Christians â or argue that because such and such people do so and so â therefore, you may. You are to ask yourself, "How would Jesus act in my place?" â and strive to follow Him alone.
Meditate on the Word day and night.
This is the principal thing.
This is the principal thing.
*Work*
General Attitudes Toward Work
We are called to do everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).
General Attitudes Toward Work
We are called to do everything as unto the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24).
Proverbs 12:11 - He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.
Proverbs 14:23 - In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 14:23 - In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.
Proverbs 24:32 - Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. The bible is telling us here that instruction can be given through observing something.
What was observed here was that someone was being lazy and resting too much, and they were being thrust into poverty by their farms and food being overtaken with parasitic plants.
Donât love the work, love the results.
Donât love the work, love the results.
(I am rethinking this principle. I am actually now thinking the work should be what is loved and the results mostly ignored - results take care of themselves).
*Productivity*
Put everything on either a calendar, task management system, or information management system.
Put everything on either a calendar, task management system, or information management system.
Goal check-ins.
When making a goal, identify the obstacle that would keep you from preventing that goal. Then, create a strategy/plan to overcome that obstacle.
When making a goal, identify the obstacle that would keep you from preventing that goal. Then, create a strategy/plan to overcome that obstacle.
Planning days. (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, yearly)
Write out weekly tasks.
Perform 80/20 checklist.
Then, fractal your 20%.
Finally, walk through the final criteria below.
Write out weekly tasks.
Perform 80/20 checklist.
Then, fractal your 20%.
Finally, walk through the final criteria below.
Deathbed reflection. Should I do this?
Does it need to be done?
What do I want to accomplish?
Does it need to be done?
What do I want to accomplish?
Define focused objective -
What does âdoneâ look like?
What steps need to be taken?
What does the overall âdoneâ look like, and what does âdoneâ look like right now, in this step?
What does âdoneâ look like?
What steps need to be taken?
What does the overall âdoneâ look like, and what does âdoneâ look like right now, in this step?
Can this be done and finished immediately?
If not, put the due date on task management.
If not, put the due date on task management.
Do things by hand until theyâre painful.
Scaling is sometimes achieved by doing things that donât scale.
Scaling is sometimes achieved by doing things that donât scale.
*Commerce*
One âokayâ revenue stream x10 is great.
Study the market.
Little markets are 2-3 years behind trend.
Multiply a quality profitable business by 10.
Diversify in different sectors.
One âokayâ revenue stream x10 is great.
Study the market.
Little markets are 2-3 years behind trend.
Multiply a quality profitable business by 10.
Diversify in different sectors.
Higher valuable employees who have multiple skills and can transfer between businesses.
Donât need to change the world, just meet a need (regardless of size) well and dependably over time.
Donât need to change the world, just meet a need (regardless of size) well and dependably over time.
*Learning*
General Learning
What can I apply right now?
Find the other extreme. Look in the opposite direction of where youâve been.
Become competent at what you resist.
General Learning
What can I apply right now?
Find the other extreme. Look in the opposite direction of where youâve been.
Become competent at what you resist.
Keep a âsurprise journal.â
Pay special attention to things for which you think âthis doesnât make sense.â
It makes sense, you just donât understand it yet.
This should be a trigger that you are encountering a learning opportunity.
Pay special attention to things for which you think âthis doesnât make sense.â
It makes sense, you just donât understand it yet.
This should be a trigger that you are encountering a learning opportunity.
How fast can you get feedback, and how fast can you iterate?
Can you create a situation where you get feedback, or get feedback faster?
One way to do this in every area of your life is to always be A/B testing.
Can you create a situation where you get feedback, or get feedback faster?
One way to do this in every area of your life is to always be A/B testing.
Sports, music, video games, and many other things provide instant feedback, allowing you to change your approach and achieve better results very quickly.
How can you get faster feedback in other things?
Health is an example of a challenging area to get better feedback.
How can you get faster feedback in other things?
Health is an example of a challenging area to get better feedback.
By the time you have feedback (a heart attack) it could be too late to change direction.
And if you did, it is hard to know exactly what is working because health takes time to develop.
And if you did, it is hard to know exactly what is working because health takes time to develop.
This is where objective data can come in handy when making certain decisions, in the place of rapid feedback.
Your best odds are traveling where the chances are reasonably in your favor of a positive outcome.
Your best odds are traveling where the chances are reasonably in your favor of a positive outcome.
Also, you can (and should) use the scientific method.
1. Hypothesis
2. Experiment
3. Observe
4. Explain
5. Submit For Review
6. Repeat
1. Hypothesis
2. Experiment
3. Observe
4. Explain
5. Submit For Review
6. Repeat
Make sense of what happened to other people in other times and other places, because if you donât, you wonât know if these things can happen to you and, if they do, you wonât know how to deal with them. Credit to @raydalio
*Skills*
Hot skills and âbestsellersâ are not rare.
Look for classics.
What are multiplier skills I can learn to apply in every area of my life?
Hot skills and âbestsellersâ are not rare.
Look for classics.
What are multiplier skills I can learn to apply in every area of my life?
Questions before learning a skill:
Do people see this as a skill yet? Will they in the future?
Does a course already exist on what I am learning?
Does this apply to every area of my life?
Do people see this as a skill yet? Will they in the future?
Does a course already exist on what I am learning?
Does this apply to every area of my life?
How long has this skill been around?
-See âLindy Effectâ
Will this knowledge increase in value?
Does this solve a problem or help me achieve a goal?
Is this a purchase or an investment?
Is this something that no one in my network knows?
-See âLindy Effectâ
Will this knowledge increase in value?
Does this solve a problem or help me achieve a goal?
Is this a purchase or an investment?
Is this something that no one in my network knows?
What knowledge could disprove what I already know?
Explore that knowledge to level up.
@scottadamssays is an amazing person to follow for this principle.
Explore that knowledge to level up.
@scottadamssays is an amazing person to follow for this principle.
*Reading*
In what five ways could I apply this to my life right now?
This will greatly increase retention and application.
In what five ways could I apply this to my life right now?
This will greatly increase retention and application.
*Mental Models*
âAll I want to know is where I am going to die so I never go there.â
-Charlie Munger
Where can I find models?
Hat tip to @michaeldsimmons
âAll I want to know is where I am going to die so I never go there.â
-Charlie Munger
Where can I find models?
Hat tip to @michaeldsimmons
*Decisions*
General
Every time a decision is made, record the criteria by which that decision is made (in this document, no less). Review often.
Use @farnamstreet decision journal.
General
Every time a decision is made, record the criteria by which that decision is made (in this document, no less). Review often.
Use @farnamstreet decision journal.
If your decision is âwhether or notâ, your frame is too narrow and you are only considering one option when you probably have many.
See Questions. ->> https://www.evernote.com/l/AX-5mAKOzWlPWpX5OJBebJb7xHnNXBJVMj0/
See Questions. ->> https://www.evernote.com/l/AX-5mAKOzWlPWpX5OJBebJb7xHnNXBJVMj0/
*Analysis*
SWOT
-Strengths
-Weaknesses
-Opportunities
-Threats
SWOT
-Strengths
-Weaknesses
-Opportunities
-Threats
SMEAC
-Situation
-Mission
-Execution
-Administration
Who is in charge?
-Command
Who reports to who?
Traditional (SILO)
Shared Consciousness
-Situation
-Mission
-Execution
-Administration
Who is in charge?
-Command
Who reports to who?
Traditional (SILO)
Shared Consciousness
*Relationships*
General
Forgive quickly and forgive everyone, as you have been forgiven. Matthew 18:21-35.
General
Forgive quickly and forgive everyone, as you have been forgiven. Matthew 18:21-35.
* Family*
Serve your family like you would a visiting dignitary.
*Marriage*
Be pleased with your choice of spouse and Godâs providential choice of spouse for you - Ref. Proverbs 5:16
A little massage goes a long way.
Serve your family like you would a visiting dignitary.
*Marriage*
Be pleased with your choice of spouse and Godâs providential choice of spouse for you - Ref. Proverbs 5:16
A little massage goes a long way.
Touch her when youâre walking. Move her using your hand on her lower back. Open doors for her, guide her away from water or gross things that she might walk into.
Always be on the âdangerousâ side of the road, be it cars or sketchy people. Make her feel safe and protected.
Always be on the âdangerousâ side of the road, be it cars or sketchy people. Make her feel safe and protected.
If itâs cold, give her your jacket. Donât ask her if she wants it, donât say anything, just do it.
Typical Positive Feedback Loop:
Spouse gives you less attention â You serve them less â Spouse gives you less attention â etc
Typical Positive Feedback Loop:
Spouse gives you less attention â You serve them less â Spouse gives you less attention â etc
Replace with NEGATIVE (corrective. Ex: thermostat) feedback loop:
Spouse gives you less attention â You serve them MORE â Continue until positive feedback loop is introduced â Spouse gives you more attention â you serve them more â etc.
Spouse gives you less attention â You serve them MORE â Continue until positive feedback loop is introduced â Spouse gives you more attention â you serve them more â etc.
Even if the new feedback loop is never introduced, it is your biblical duty to serve your spouse regardless of the result you get. The result you SHOULD want = you are serving your spouse selflessly.
*Parenting*
We will die for our kids. Will we pour our lives into them so they will be godly?
What would God talk to my kids about?
We will die for our kids. Will we pour our lives into them so they will be godly?
What would God talk to my kids about?
How would God talk to my kids?
Build up, donât demolish.
Start with praise.
Based on evidence.
Prayerfully considered.
Build up, donât demolish.
Start with praise.
Based on evidence.
Prayerfully considered.
With humility.
Nothing compares to the little bit of attention your kids want from you. It means the world to them. Anytime they want your attention itâs because you have value to offer them.
Accept this honor with humility and acknowledge their desire.
Nothing compares to the little bit of attention your kids want from you. It means the world to them. Anytime they want your attention itâs because you have value to offer them.
Accept this honor with humility and acknowledge their desire.
I am the center of my childâs world.
When Dad notices them, their whole self lights up, their world feels safe.
They are desperate to know, does daddy see me?
Does daddy see what I am drawing?
What does daddy think about me?
When Dad notices them, their whole self lights up, their world feels safe.
They are desperate to know, does daddy see me?
Does daddy see what I am drawing?
What does daddy think about me?
God thinks about boys and girls. Mark 10:16, Zech 8:5
God allows boys and girls to play.
In all your play, remember the eye and ear of God.
In all your play, keep your temper.
Do not neglect work because of play.
God allows boys and girls to play.
In all your play, remember the eye and ear of God.
In all your play, keep your temper.
Do not neglect work because of play.
In the last place, never forget, even in your play, that all true happiness comes from Christ. (From âBoys and Girls Playing by JC Ryle)
*Business*
If you can help it, do not partner.
If you can help it, do not partner.
When choosing endeavors, choose positive contingencies (movie making) where what you donât know will almost certainly be to your benefit instead of negative contingencies (military events, banking) where what you donât know will most certainly harm you.
Use this principle in conjunction with the barbell strategy, where 85% of your âeggsâ are in an absolutely foolproof âbasket,â and the other 15% are in wildly speculative investments/projects.
Hat tip to @nntaleb
Hat tip to @nntaleb
This combination will produce security and balance while retaining reasonable odds for wild success. Can be applied to side hustles, career options, investments.
*Networking*
Most likely, you wonât be a ârenaissance man.â Instead, aim to have a ârenaissance network.â A relationship with one person who has studied several disciplines is worth ten average relationships.
Hat tip to @scotthyoung
Most likely, you wonât be a ârenaissance man.â Instead, aim to have a ârenaissance network.â A relationship with one person who has studied several disciplines is worth ten average relationships.
Hat tip to @scotthyoung
Identify 20 people in your network (or outside) that are âbrokers, â that you want to grow closer to. Put them on your calendar and contact on different âbrokerâ per business day.
After the initial meeting, follow-up as soon as possible in every situation.
After the initial meeting, follow-up as soon as possible in every situation.
*Communication*
General
Pretend that the person you are talking with is the hero of their own indie movie.
Hat tip to @vvanedwards
General
Pretend that the person you are talking with is the hero of their own indie movie.
Hat tip to @vvanedwards
*Working a room*
Match speech and cadence.
If they seem uncomfortable, interrupt yourself.
When leaving, shake hands, summarize conversation in five seconds.
Write down one or two facts about them on their business card.
Use stories instead of just details and facts.
Match speech and cadence.
If they seem uncomfortable, interrupt yourself.
When leaving, shake hands, summarize conversation in five seconds.
Write down one or two facts about them on their business card.
Use stories instead of just details and facts.
*Phone Communication*
Talk standing up for more enthusiasm.
Whistle before phone calls to relax.
Look in the mirror to smile more; people can hear the smile over the phone.
Talk standing up for more enthusiasm.
Whistle before phone calls to relax.
Look in the mirror to smile more; people can hear the smile over the phone.
*Debate*
Steel Man argument. Find the best form of the opponent's argument and argue with that.
Understand the opponentâs argument better than they do.
Pause for five seconds before acting (or reacting).
Steel Man argument. Find the best form of the opponent's argument and argue with that.
Understand the opponentâs argument better than they do.
Pause for five seconds before acting (or reacting).
*Negotiation*
https://www.evernote.com/l/AX_PKOclYVJBnKyOojEdS2L2SNlwKl8dpko/
Hat tip to @blackswangrp and @vossnegotaition
https://www.evernote.com/l/AX_PKOclYVJBnKyOojEdS2L2SNlwKl8dpko/
Hat tip to @blackswangrp and @vossnegotaition
If you made it this far - WOW
Thank you so much for reading
Please retweet and share for others to learn about this valuable practice.
Here is a link to these principles in my personal Evernote for you to reference and have ideas for your own.
https://www.evernote.com/l/AX-q_sNMf3xON6J50yHNY9RkKiQQ32HCPkU/
END
Thank you so much for reading
Please retweet and share for others to learn about this valuable practice.
Here is a link to these principles in my personal Evernote for you to reference and have ideas for your own.
https://www.evernote.com/l/AX-q_sNMf3xON6J50yHNY9RkKiQQ32HCPkU/
END
