I am a big fan of sci-fi books and it provides a glimpse of the world that could be. However, as I learn more about the current world – sci-fi books should be considered fantasy with a futurastic setting. Some of these books seem plausible at first glance but when you consider the worlds – highly improbable.
The title 12 rules for life sounds like something that you should already know – rules that you’re father would have taught you when you’re growing up. However, my father was no clinical psychologist like Jordan Person is, so I thought it would be interesting to see what rules he presents.
I read the book and here is my take on the rules.
“Stand up straight with your shoulders back” I took this as meaning to be confident, and this really helped me feel better. I never had a rule to tell me always be confident – so this rule allowed me to get outside of my own head and start doing what I wanted with facing the consequences later.
“Treat yourself like you are responsible for helping” I give advice to my brothers for what was best – but in my own life things were not going so well. I would tell my friends to do something that I was afraid of doing myself. Often times I catch myself and use this rule to work towards my goal
“Make friends with people who want the best for you” I think a big part of this is listening to your friends as well – because if you do not listen then for them – what is the point. This rule sets forth that you really can’t be having negative nancies always in your life. Once you are an adult it is you who chooses to hand out with
“Compare yourself with who you were yesterday, not with someone else is today” This made it easier to manage my growth as my mantra is now to be better than yesterday. What can I improve today that makes me better than yesterday.
“Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them” I have no children so could not apply this rule
Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world” I feel that this rule is related to Stephen Comeys 7 Habits of highly effective people – there is no point to waste time worrying about things that you cannot effectively change. So just leave it and work on things that you can. I have been doing this and trying not to read the news or talk about stuff that I have no interest in.
“Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)” The world is full of distractions and I am trying to focus on what is important. The apps like news,youtube, instagram, twitter all have algorithms designed to keep you on the screen. I have recognised this and tried to restrict myself on these platforms.
“Tell the truth — or, at least, don’t lie” I never lie so this was an easy rule to follow.
“Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t” I’ve been trying to keep a more open mind and not be instantly dismissive
“Be precise in your speech” I am using this in my own internal speech to stop behaving so irrationally. I need to verbalise or see what I am doing in the present moment and how does this assist me in reaching my goals.
“Do not bother children when they are skate-boarding” This rule is related to child-rearing which I am not doign yet
“Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street” Life is short, it is monotonous, with much pain and suffering. Enjoy the little things throughout the day
To conclude, the rules set forth in this book really give a different perspective and made me look at my life in a different way. I think it is a great way to verbalise habits that we grow up accustomed to and see as normal. If you consider that your life isn’t normal then the rules set forth in this book can serve as a baseline as you go through life. Buy it from Amazon here 12 Rules for Life
We do not realise, but alot of our interactions day-day involve selling. I will be doing the copywriting challenge until Christmas (Starting today on the 23rd). I will document how this goes and what i found really useful.
| “Scientific Advertising” by Claude Hopkins here |
| Short Kindle is available above. The book is short and straight to the point. Finished this Day 1 & 2. My biggest takeaway – imagine that the advertistement was a salesman, is he doing his job and could he door knock and sell the item? |
| “The Robert Collier Letter Book” by Robert collier |
| Days 3 to 7. This book contains many mail-in letters by Robert Collier. I would like these to unsolicited emails. With only the title of the email being read. |
| “Tested Advertising Methods” by John Caples |
| Days 7 to 14. This provides additional details on HOW to right copy. It explains the use of basic language, focus on the reader and provide relevant pictures as a basis to prepare copy that sells. |
| “How To Write A Good Advertisement” by Vic Schwab |
| “The Gary Halbert Letter” (all back issues) |
| “The Boron Letters” by Gary Halbert |
| “The Lazy Man’s Way to Riches” by Joe Karbo |
| “Break-Through Advertising” by Eugene M. Schwartz |
| “7-Steps To Freedom” by Ben Suarez |
Expose yourself and get a grasp of copywriting by reading books.
Update 16 December. Completed Tested advertising methods by John Caples
I will share with you my findings from reading this book and whether you should buy it as well.
I thought this was an interesting book with applicable knowledge. You can get it from Amazon here.
I listened to all the audiobooks of this series and provide you with a review. I enjoyed the books enough that I purchased the whole series.
The story of McGill is interesting and each of the book advances the story. The books are formulaic with a different ‘enemy’ or in this case planet in each of the books.
I felt the books was more of a fantasy with sci fi elements mixed in.
Some thoughts:
In summary, i compare this series to recent sci-fi books (the expanse series) and find very large differences in writing. The expanse provides development of other characters and also includes political machinations.
After listening to entire audiobook series, I would rate the series 3/5.
The book is an okay space opera/ sci-fi / military adventure. The story is simple, and original enough to read / listen to. It is entertaining enough that I bought every audiobook and listen to them .
The stories are fairly simple and keep on coming back to the same themes:
My gripes with the series
5 Percent a day 