The 12 Principles That Shape My Life (And Maybe Yours, Too)

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Personal growth is a messy, nonlinear, and deeply personal journey. Over time, I’ve pulled together a set of 12 principles—what I like to call “recipes for converting daily moments into a future I love.” Inspired by thinkers like Ray Dalio, Paul Graham, and even Hunter S. Thompson, these aren’t rigid rules but rather a framework that helps me filter reality, focus on what matters, and make choices aligned with my values.

The goal? Not perfection. Just progress.

Building the Foundation: Vitality

Everything is connected. That’s why I start with vitality—the foundation that supports everything else. If you neglect your well-being, other areas of life will eventually crumble. I break this down into three sub-principles:

• Natural Nutrition: No fad diets. Just whole, fresh foods with an 18/21 rule—eating well for 18 out of 21 meals a week.

• Exercise That Excites: Movement should be fun, not a chore. Prioritizing enjoyment increases consistency.

• Open Minds for Intimacy: Emotional and physical connection thrive on openness, communication, and authenticity.

Training the Mind: Think Better, Live Better

Your mind is either your biggest ally or your biggest obstacle. Here’s how I train mine:

1. Make Time to Think – Deep thinking is a skill. I schedule time for it.

2. Pair Naïve Optimism with Principles – Boldness works better with guardrails.

3. You Are Not Your Thoughts – Mindfulness helps separate emotions from identity.

"The better we think, the better choices we make, and the better our lives become."

Navigating Emotions: Who’s Driving the Van?

I like to think of emotions as a road trip, where different characters fight for control of the van. Sometimes it’s the inner critic. Sometimes it’s the peacemaker. The trick is knowing who’s driving.

Three principles for emotional intelligence:

• Validate, Honor, and Feel It Through: Emotions are signals, not facts.

• Self-Love is Fundamental: You spend every second of your life with yourself—make it a good relationship.

• Daily All-Self Huddle: A quick emotional check-in helps manage internal chaos.

💡 Key Insight: Emotions, when processed, pass in about 90 seconds. If they linger, it’s often the stories we attach to them.

Defining Character: The Legacy You Leave

Heraclitus said, “A man’s character is his fate.” I think he was onto something.

1. Your Character is Your Fate – Your choices shape your life.

2. Character is What People Remember – Accomplishments fade. Integrity lasts.

3. It Cannot Cost You Your Integrity – If it costs you peace, it’s too expensive.

I like to visualize character as a boat:

• The keel (stability) represents vitality.

• The hull (buoyancy) is integrity.

• The rudder (direction) is curiosity.

🚢 Lesson: Stability, integrity, and curiosity create a strong, resilient vessel.

Exploring Spirituality: The Journey Inward

I used to ignore spirituality. Now, I define it in my own way—less about religion, more about meaning.

1. The Journey Inwards to You – Strip away external noise to find your true self.

2. Know Your Personal Reason, Connect It – Align actions with purpose.

3. Flowing in a Net of Connections – Recognize that we are part of something bigger.

🔍 Quote to Ponder: "When all is said and done, there are only four things to know: the world, the mind, the heart, and you—the one experiencing the other three." —Michael Singer

Love & Connection: The People That Shape Us

Love isn’t just romance. It’s the deep connections that fuel us.

Love:

• Loving Deeply Gives You Courage – Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.

• The Law of Attraction – Live authentically, and the right people will find you.

Connection:

• Your Inner Circle Defines You – We are the sum of our closest relationships.

• Rewire for Gratitude – Look for reasons to appreciate, not criticize.

👥 Big Takeaway: Quality offline time trumps endless digital connections.

Creation: Building, Playing, and Experimenting

Creativity thrives on playfulness.

1. Embrace Playfulness – Approach life with curiosity.

2. Keep Your Naïve Optimism – Don’t overthink. Just start.

3. Strive for Bettering – Progress over perfection.

🚀 Mantra: "Live in the future and build what’s missing." — Paul Graham

Money: The Three Universal Currencies

I see money as one of three universal currencies: money, time, and flexibility. It’s not just about earning; it’s about how you use it.

• Objective Needs First

• F-You Money – Build financial independence.

• Invest, Retire, Educate – Smart money is freedom money.

💰 Key Insight: Money is a tool. Use it with intention.

Environment: The Spaces That Shape Us

Your environment is an extension of your mind. I see it as:

• A net of thoughts and feelings

• A space for expression

• A source of grounding

🏡 Quote to Consider: "To own land is important psychologically. There is no substitute for it." —Carl Jung

Leisure: Using Free Time With Intention

Time is precious. Jordan Peterson’s self-authoring program suggests that wasting just four hours a day adds up to 1,400 hours a year.

Instead of mindless scrolling:

• Find activities that energize you

• Challenge yourself with new hobbies

• Balance effort and ease

⏳ Mindset Shift: Leisure isn’t an escape; it’s a recharge.

Growth: The Ongoing Journey

I see growth as a process of expansion and evolution.

Three Pillars of Growth:

1. Curiosity as a Guide – The best opportunities come from following genuine interests.

2. Positioning & Consistency – Small, steady progress compounds over time.

3. Experimentation – Test things in 30-90 day cycles.

🔎 Wisdom to Remember: "Curiosity is the best guide. It knows more than you do about what’s worth paying attention to." —Paul Graham

Final Thought: Create Your Own Principles

These 12 principles work for me, but they aren’t universal truths. They’re meant to be a starting point. My advice? Take what resonates, leave what doesn’t, and craft your own.

Reflection Question:

Which principle speaks to you the most?