Twelve Rules

Twelve Rules

Phil Dawson    September 19, 2018

JORDAN PETERSON, a Canadian clinical psychologist and professor at the University of Toronto, has thundered onto the cultural scene, thanks in large part to his book 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.

I began reading with healthy skepticism, but quickly became a fan.

Not that the doctor and I agree on all points. But the book immediately confronted my intellectual laziness in a careful but unavoidable way. On second reading, I began to think about alternate applications for his advice. With great literary license, the following contains some thoughts in that regard. All quotes are from 12 Rules for Life.

Rule 1: Stand up straight, with your shoulders back

Peterson begins his rules with lobsters, dominance hierarchies and serotonin, which he makes far more interesting and relevant than you might suspect. “Circumstances change, and so can you.

Positive feedback loops, adding effect to effect, can spiral counterproductively in a negative direction, but can also work to get you ahead.” In your financial life, this is where you stare down your financial condition, own it and take responsibility for improvement.

Rule 2: Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping

Peterson points out how people fail to do things that are good for them. “Don’t underestimate the power of vision and direction. These are irresistible forces, able to transform what might appear to be unconquerable obstacles into traversable pathways and expanding opportunities.

Strengthen the individual. Start with yourself. Take care with yourself.” What advice would you give to someone in your financial condition? Are you following that advice yourself?

Rule 3: Make friends with people who want the best for you

Peterson explains how the environment you select for yourself has a direct influence on your quality of life. You know those people who encourage your financial intemperance? They’re not your friends; they are just making you poor.

“The same thing happens when well-meaning counselors place a delinquent teen among comparatively civilized peers. The delinquency spreads, not the stability. Down is a lot easier than up.” Get rid of the losers. Find friends who want you to do truly well and who will carefully correct you when you need it.

Rule 4: Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today

Peterson introduces your internal critic and the way it works, and then offers this observation: “Finally, you might come to realize that the specifics of the many games you are playing are so unique to you, so individual, that comparison to others is simply inappropriate.

Perhaps you are overvaluing what you don’t have and undervaluing what you do. There’s some real utility in gratitude.” Don’t be resentful of what you see around you. Just keep pedaling.

Rule 5: Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them

That includes the use of money. “Parents have a duty to act as proxies for the real world—merciful proxies, caring proxies—but proxies, nonetheless. This obligation supersedes any responsibility to ensure happiness, foster creativity, or boost self-esteem.

It is the primary duty of parents to make their children socially desirable. That will provide the child with opportunity, self-regard, and security.” The world is a harsh place to learn the basics of money.  Start early.

Rule 6: Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world

There is much to despair about. The government and culture have gone to seed, the U.S. is $21.5 trillion in debt and many financial crimes go unpunished. You can’t fix it all. Instead, advises Peterson, “Consider your circumstances. Start small. Have you taken advantage of the opportunities offered to you?”

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https://humbledollar.com/2018/09/twelve-rules/