9 imaginary rules to unlearn (that will change your life):
1. Imaginary Rule: You’re too young or too old.
Stop waiting for permission.
In the words of Naval Ravikant, “There are no adults. Everyone's making it up as they go along. Figure it out yourself, and do it.”
Stop waiting for permission.
In the words of Naval Ravikant, “There are no adults. Everyone's making it up as they go along. Figure it out yourself, and do it.”
2. Imaginary Rule: You should be good at everything.
Normalize “I don’t know anything about that” as a successful answer.
The most successful people are imperfect. They've doubled down on a few key strengths.
Normalize “I don’t know anything about that” as a successful answer.
The most successful people are imperfect. They've doubled down on a few key strengths.
3. Imaginary Rule: Avoid risks because everyone will judge you.
Spotlight Effect (cognitive bias): We think people are paying far more attention to us than they are.
Harsh truth: Your freedom begins the day you realize nobody is thinking about you.
Spotlight Effect (cognitive bias): We think people are paying far more attention to us than they are.
Harsh truth: Your freedom begins the day you realize nobody is thinking about you.
4. Imaginary Rule: You owe them loyalty.
Master the "gift of goodbye."
You don't owe loyalty to a friend, partner, or employer who belittles you. Successful & happy people simply say goodbye.
Master the "gift of goodbye."
You don't owe loyalty to a friend, partner, or employer who belittles you. Successful & happy people simply say goodbye.
5. Imaginary Rule: Believe every thought you have.
Stop believing every thought or feeling unless you’re in a peak mental state.
It’s like grocery shopping on an empty stomach (bad idea).
Stop believing every thought or feeling unless you’re in a peak mental state.
It’s like grocery shopping on an empty stomach (bad idea).
6. Imaginary Rule: Successful people take shortcuts.
Avoid shiny object syndrome. Instead, focus on the boring basics.
Get 1% better daily, and you’ll be 37x better in one year (Source: Atomic Habits).
Avoid shiny object syndrome. Instead, focus on the boring basics.
Get 1% better daily, and you’ll be 37x better in one year (Source: Atomic Habits).
7. Imaginary Rule: Everyone should like you.
“Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity.” —Colin Powell
Know this: It’s better to be respected than liked. Learning to say “no” graciously—to honor your priorities and values—is a surefire way to earn respect.
“Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity.” —Colin Powell
Know this: It’s better to be respected than liked. Learning to say “no” graciously—to honor your priorities and values—is a surefire way to earn respect.
8. Imaginary Rule: You can’t change.
A growth mindset is believing you CAN improve your abilities through dedication and hard work.
Mastery takes time (for everyone). Commit yourself to lifelong learning.
A growth mindset is believing you CAN improve your abilities through dedication and hard work.
Mastery takes time (for everyone). Commit yourself to lifelong learning.
9. Imaginary Rule: You can’t rest until you succeed.
Ambitious people often feel guilty about resting. But here’s the reality: Rest powers your success.
In the words of Kevin Kelly, “The best work ethic requires a good rest ethic.”
Ambitious people often feel guilty about resting. But here’s the reality: Rest powers your success.
In the words of Kevin Kelly, “The best work ethic requires a good rest ethic.”
I think about this quote often:
“The only thing that keeps us from having what we really want is the stories we tell ourselves.” —Tony Robbins
“The only thing that keeps us from having what we really want is the stories we tell ourselves.” —Tony Robbins
Which of these Imaginary Rules hits the hardest for you?
Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more posts like this in the future.
Thanks for reading! Follow me @SystemSunday for more posts like this in the future.
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