The Rules of Life

Richard Templar is the international bestselling author of The Rules series, known for turning everyday observations into practical guidance. He brings a calm, clear voice to life’s real challenges. He distils proven behaviours into books that help readers act confidently and improve steadily.

• Rules for you1 Keep it under your hat2 You’ll get older but not necessarily wiser3 Accept what is done is done4 Accept yourself5 Know what counts and what doesn’t6 Dedicate your life to something7 Be flexible in your thinking8 Take an interest in the outside world9 Be on the side of the angels, not the beasts10 Only dead fish swim with the stream11 Be the last to raise your voice12 Be your own adviser13 No fear, no surprise, no hesitation, no doubt14 I wish I’d done that – and I will15 It’s OK to give up16 Count to ten – or recite ‘Hickory dickory dock’17 Change what you can change, let go of the rest18 Aim to be the very best at everything you do – not second best19 Don’t expect to be perfect20 Don’t be afraid to dream21 If you’re going to jump off a bridge, make sure you know how deep the water is22 Don’t dwell on the past23 Don’t live in the future24 Get on with life – it’s whooshing past25 Be consistent26 Dress like today is important27 Have a belief system28 Leave a little space for yourself each day29 Have a plan30 Have a sense of humour31 Choose how you make your bed32 Life can be a bit like advertising33 Get used to stepping outside your comfort zone34 Learn to ask questions35 Have dignity36 It’s OK to feel big emotions37 Keep the faith38 You’ll never understand everything39 Know where true happiness comes from40 Life is a pizza41 Always have someone – or something – that is pleased to see you42 Know when to let go – when to walk away43 Retaliation leads to escalation44 Look after yourself45 Maintain good manners in all things46 Prune your stuff frequently47 Remember to touch base48 Draw the lines around yourself49 Shop for quality, not price50 It’s OK to worry, or to know how not to51 Stay young52 Throwing money at a problem doesn’t always work53 Think for yourself54 You are not in charge55 Have something in your life that takes you out of yourself56 Only the good feel guilty57 If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at allPartnership Rules58 Accept the differences, embrace what you have in common59 Allow your partner the space to be themselves60 Be nice61 You want to do what?62 Be the first to say sorry63 Go that extra step in trying to please them64 Know when to listen and when to act65 Have a passion for your life together66 Make sure your love making is making love67 Keep talking68 Respect privacy69 Check you both have the same shared goals70 Treat your partner better than your best friend71 Contentment is a high aim72 You don’t both have to have the same rulesFamily and friends Rules73 If you are going to be a friend, be a good friend74 Never be too busy for loved ones75 Let your kids mess up for themselves – they don’t need any help from you76 Have a little respect and forgiveness for your parents77 Give your kids a break78 Never lend money unless you are prepared to write it off79 Keep schtum80 There are no bad children81 Be up around people you love82 Give your kids responsibilities83 Your children need to fall out with you to leave home84 Your kids will have friends you don’t like85 Your role as a child86 Your role as a parentSocial Rules87 We’re all closer than you think88 It doesn’t hurt to forgive89 It doesn’t hurt to be helpful90 What’s in it for them?91 Hang out with positive people92 Be generous with your time and information93 Get involved94 Keep the moral high ground95 Just because you have, doesn’t mean they have to96 Do compare yourself with other people97 Have a plan for your career98 Look at the long-term ramifications of what you do for a living99 Be good at your job100 Be aware of the damage you are doing101 Be for the glory, not the degradation102 Be part of the solution, not the problem103 Check what history would say about you104 Not everything can be green105 Put something back106 Find a new Rule every day – or occasionally at leastThe Rules of happiness 1 Take the long view2 Do something you’re good at3 Like yourself4 Look from the other direction5 Spin it6 Mix it7 Find a distraction8 Know who you value9 Break down the blocks10 Take control