Not saying I always follow them myself, but I almost always try to follow them ;-)

Disclaimer: statements like "do this", or "that is so-and-so" mean of course "I (should) do this" and "I think that is so-and-so" - these are after all my guidelines, not yours! :-)

There's no need to correct everyone/-thing all the time. Don't want too much stuff - stuff needs attention too. Don't be addicted if possible; it's ok just to drop something you like just to see if you can actually do that. Persistence is good, but dropping below effectivity-threshold is a clear sign to resume work at a later time. Things may go away forever, but there will come new things all the time. Don't cling to the past, or as Juliette Lewis said in Cape Fear (1991): "if you hang on to the past, you die a little every day". Forgive but don't forget. Try to think positively, even if you actually want to be angry. The ego is very flexible, and will regain its original - or better - shape after an attack.


Don't be prejudiced because of looks/smell/size or whatever; there's always something new to be learned unless your eyes are closed. Don't condescend even if you know everything better (because you don't). Don't jump to conclusions; it's okay to follow a hunch but don't get lost. To try to see things from a different point of view may actually not be just a waste of time. Allow others to spot flaws in your work or personality, and don't immediately kill them if they do. To admit you're wrong might be a sign of strength instead of weakness. Question anything, including well-established opinions (some mate pointed me to this nice experiment).


There just may be no god at all; the song Pods and Gods by NOFX illustrates this quite well. It's ok to be regarded an idiot by others; sometimes that's the easiest way to learn. Ask your questions if you have them. Be true to yourself, do things for yourself rather than to (try to) impress anyone - you can't please everyone anyway, so why bother. Not having an opinion is less bad than having an unfounded one. Don't give with the intention of receiving, not even a thank-you; what goes around will come around in due time. Be as tolerant as possible, but retaliate if necessary, or rather, I don't f*ck with you - you don't f*ck with me.


Sometimes it helps to shutdown the brain a bit, and concentrate on one thing at a time instead - divided attention is mostly wasted attention. Nothing is really important from a high enough point of view; this can be a very comforting thought. If you're lazy, be lazy properly instead of doing something half arsed and being left with a sense of unfulfillment. Aim high, but keep goals reasonable, or your day has failed even before it started. Don't admire your own accomplishments too long. Talk is cheap, so don't make too many promises, do it first, then tell. Separate opinion from fact to filter out the bullshit. Don't let people steal your time - you only have so-and-so much of it, so choose your battles well.