Excursion: True Rules

What are the unexamined assumptions which guide your life? Most of us have what Gretchen Rubin calls "True Rules." True Rules are rules of thumb -- quick, commonsense principles -- that we apply to solve a problem or make a decision. The catch is that we go through that process mechanically. We rarely examine what we know is so. It's like walking through life on autopilot. And it leads us to some unfortunate decisions and skewed priorities.

Here's the thing: True Rules are like conventional wisdom -- they can limit our creativity, preserve prejudices and stereotypes, and spare us the work of thinking through decisions and priorities which might stretch us in new directions.

Some examples of True Rules which are generally unhelpful:
I don't have time.
I know as much as most people.
Politicians just want to take care of themselves.
My parents are almost always right.
When making a choice about what to do, do work.

Some True Rules which are generally helpful:
Get some exercise every day.
Always say hello.
Choose the bigger life.
I have plenty of time for the things that are important to me.
We often learn most from the things that go wrong.

Take some time to gather your True Rules. Examine, revise, and discard. Remember, True Rules should guide you to decisions and priorities that 'work' and make you happier.