The New Rules

The New Rules

What “rules” do you live by?


I was going through a bunch of old notes that I had written myself when I was just starting out in business and found this one from February 2017 in my Notes app:

The New Rules
•Say No.
•Say “No, I don't want to.”
•Say Yes.
•Just see what I can get away with.
•Change my mind if I want to.
•Don't bark up wrong trees.
•Don't put in more effort than it's worth.
•Don't undervalue myself in any way.
•Stay genuine.
•Stay kind.
•Don't try to hide vulnerabilities.
•Listen to obstacles, then turn directions to find the flow.
•Just ask
•Never fear competition-just be my truest self and there won't be any competitors.
•There is no normal. Just go for it and be myself. If they don't like it, they aren't meant for my story. If they do like it, they are my people.
•Do not minimize my needs. I have needs. I deserve to have them met. It is my responsibility to ask and communicate what I need. That is not being demanding. It is being a valid human.
•Do NOT avoid conflict.
•Do not take the advice of people who say I should conform. Listen, and if the advice rings a bell, consider it. But if it goes against my gut, remember I know what I'm doing. Do it my way.
•Never fear rejection or take it personally. It simply means there's something or someone better suited for me. It just means "wrong tree, don't bark up this one"
•Only say yes to those who are really excited about me or who I'm really excited about.
•No more trying to filter myself or tailor myself to what someone else may want or like.

When I made this list, I was in a huge life transition and I wanted to start living on my own terms. Looking back, it was one of the best times of my life because I realized that the ways I had been living were not the way I wanted to live my life anymore. I’m glad I wrote down my new rules and it’s fun to look back and see how I changed everything for myself.

What rules do you want to replace for yourself?