12 Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson is a self-help book that provides a set of principles and guidelines for living a more meaningful life. The book's 12 rules are based on Peterson's research across history, religion, mythology, neuroscience and psychology. The book emphasizes taking personal responsibility as a key to improving one's life.
Here are the 12 rules of the book:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back: Adopt a confident posture and take responsibility for your life. This can have a profound impact on your psychology, signaling confidence and the willingness to take on life's challenges.
- Treat yourself like someone you are responsible for helping: Practice self-care and prioritize your well-being as you would for someone you care about.
- Make friends with people who want the best for you: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage your personal growth and happiness, while avoiding toxic relationships.
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today: Focus on your own progress and self-improvement rather than comparing yourself to others.
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them: Set clear boundaries for your children and provide guidance and discipline to raise responsible individuals.
- Set your house in perfect order before you criticize the world: Address your own personal issues and work towards self-improvement before trying to fix the problems of the world.
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient): Seek out meaningful goals and values, even if they require effort and sacrifice, rather than pursuing short-term pleasures.
- Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie: Emphasize honesty, integrity, and truthfulness in communication and actions.
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t: Be open-minded, humble, and listen actively when engaging in conversations with others.
- Be precise in your speech: Use clear and accurate communication to express yourself effectively and avoid misunderstandings.
- Do not bother children when they are skateboarding: Allow children to engage in challenging activities and take risks, recognizing the importance of exploration and learning through experience.
- Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street: Appreciate small moments of joy and beauty in life, finding happiness and gratitude in simple pleasures.
These rules are intended to guide individuals toward personal development, better relationships, and a more positive impact on the world. Peterson's ideas suggest that if people live properly, humanity will collectively flourish.
