
365 Rules is a product from myself, Simon Stevens. It is described as rules but it is really light touch guidelines to a positive way of living. Some rules are deep and meaningful, others are practical and some are just a bit of fun. The list is not to be taken too seriously but I hope they are helpful to you.
Rules
1. Allow yourself to change your mind at any tind
2. Allow yourself to daydream when you can
3. Always add a date and maybe time to document filenames to make them easier to file
4. Always arrive clean and tidy to a meeting but it does not matter how your leave
5. Always celebrate your birthday
6. Always check what organisation has funded the research before judging its value
7. Always dress for success
8. Always explore new ways of doing things
9. Always finish any task you start even if it is bit by bit over many years
10. Always focus on your strengths and never your weaknesses
11. Always give more than you are willing take
12. Always have a backup of your presentation on an USB stick just in case
13. Always have a plan for when things go wrong
14. Always have some kind of internet software on your computer
15. Always imagine what the worst thing that can happen when facing your fears
16. Always keep a rain coat and waterproof trousers in your rucksack to make sure it does not rain
17. Always keep your taxi home money separate from your drinking money on a good night out
18. Always listen to your body
19. Always look after yourself first so you can better look after others
20. Always pay your bills, eventually
21. Always perform a very regular backup of your computer data
22. Always put a good idea into practice
23. Always put the details from business cards into your address book
24. Always realise any holiday is going to cost double than you actually paid for it
25. Always record when you met important people
26. Always submit your expense forms as soon as you can
27. Always take a coat with you on a summers day just in case
28. Always try to find a good home for anything you are no longer using
29. Always try to make your criticisms positive and constructive
30. Always wear a lifejacket when it is needed
31. Always wear the proper kit for any sporting activities.
32. Appreciate dreams is a way of your mind sorting out the events of the day
33. Appreciate spam email is just a part of life rather than something to stress about
34. Appreciate the true weakness of bullies
35. Appreciate there is diversity within diversity within diversity
36. Avoid argument about Apple or Microsoft, it is just not worth it
37. Avoid challenging people's right to describe themselves in a specific way
38. Avoid situations where he said she said they said you said
39. Avoid stressing out on matters you can not change at that specific moment
40. Avoid talking jargon to people who may not understand it
41. Avoid talking to people online if you have no idea who they are
42. Avoid telling jokes which do not belong to you
43. Avoid the terms handicapped and retard
44. Avoid unnecessary conflict whenever you can
45. Balance work and leisure for a healthy lifestyle
46. Balance your rights with your responsibilities
47. Be a participant of life and not just an observer
48. Be around young people to feel young
49. Be aware of your bad habits
50. Be careful when you are driving an electric wheelchair
51. Be confident to have your own opinion
52. Be confident to share your feelings in an appropriate way
53. Be prepared to think outside the box to solve problems
54. Be weary of people who claim to represent the views of another person
55. Be wise in how you use social media
56. Brush your teeth after every meal
57. Buy the little things which make you feel good
58. Buy things which are value for money for the purpose you intend to use them for
59. Celebrate the benefits of the computer, internet and the iPad!
60. Celebrate the diversity of lifestyle that exists in the world
61. Check your bank balances online every day
62. Common Sense is only common sense if you know it is common sense
63. Confront your fears and never run away
64. Confront your fears on your terms
65. Consider drinking zero sugar coke if you enjoy drinking a lot of it
66. Consider how much sci-fi should be sci-fact
67. Consider joining a chocolate tasting club as a treat for giving up drinking alcohol
68. Consider New Year revolutions are an opportunity for reflection rather then a definite task lists
69. Consider using a boiler suit when decorating your home
70. Consider using a shorty wetsuit for swimming in a cold pool
71. Control your television and do not let it control you
72. Criticism may only be a difficulty in fully understanding your viewpoint
73. Do not allow other people to bully you
74. Do not apologise when someone in a wheelchair tries to run you over
75. Do not ask for a white christmas because it is not as nice in reality as is looks
76. Do not ask someone with a speech impairment to repeat a tongue twister.
77. Do not assume everyone in the world speaks English
78. Do not assume everyone understands what you are saying in the way you want them to understand
79. Do not assume just 'being disabled' gives you an automatic right to special treatment
80. Do not assume that a person that appears to be struggling needs help
81. Do not be afraid of asking for help when you need it
82. Do not be afraid to stop watching a film you are not enjoying
83. Do not be envious of a lifestyle you do not have the aspiration to achieve
84. Do not be embarrassed to use an bib/apron if it will be helpful
85. Do not be frightened to admit when you are wrong
86. Do not believe everything you read
87. Do not click 'delete' if you do not really know what you are doing
88. Do not cry over spilled milk, its corny but classically true
89. Do not demand respect when you are not prepared to give it
90. Do not expect other people to read your mind, just tell them what you are thinking
91. Do not feel afraid to ask anyone if they need some help
92. Do not feel frightened to make a special request at restaurants if what you really want is not quite on the menu
93. Do not force people to eat food they do not enjoy
94. Do not forget your passport when you travel aboard
95. Do not grow old too gracefully
96. Do not judge a book by its cover but first impressions do matter
97. Do not let other people's criticisms put you off using the qualities you have to overcome the qualities you do not have
98. Do not let other people's rules control your life
99. Do not let others be negative about your form of normality
100. Do not let others make you a victim
101. Do not let someone else stop you doing what you want and able to do
102. Do not make assumptions about people's support situations
103. Do not make assumptions about the relationship between 2 people.
104. Do not mistake 'political correctness' with a better understanding of the impact specific language has.
105. Do not over-react if someone's girlfriend is actually their boyfriend
106. Do not park in a disabled space if you do not have a blue badge
107. Do not play happy families if you do not want to
108. Do not punish yourself for having a good time
109. Do not put the value of material processions over the value of people
110. Do not take friendships for granted, they need attention to survive
111. Do not use a distrust of 'political correctness' as an excuse for inappropriate behaviour
112. Do not waste too much time and energy working out your carbon footprint
113. Do not worry about getting dirty when having fun with paint, wear an apron or smock
114. Do not worry about going to bed too early or too late
115. Eat what you want for breakfast
116. Embrace and learn from your own mistakes
117. Embrace change and use it to your advantage
118. Embrace technology in a way that works for you
119. Embrace your sexuality
120. Enjoy Christmas for the joy of giving presents to those who will appreciate them
121. Enjoy Christmas in the way you want to enjoy it
122. Enjoy every day as if its your last
123. Enjoy the benefits of wireless headphones
124. Enjoy the wonderful feeling of dawn or dust on a hot summers day
125. Enjoy your small successes as well as your large ones
126. Ensure you discuss morals and ethics to include people rather than excluding them
127. Ensure you have enough opportunities so not to be bored
128. Ensure you have a pleasurable activity planned for each day of the year
129. Feel free to wear what you want to home
130. Find the true causes of a problem before proposing a solution
131. Find ways on having your privacy in a public place
132. Find ways to treat yourself special without spending too much money
133. Follow your own story, not anyone elses
134. Forgive yourself for wasting food if it can not be helped.
135. Forgive yourself for your past mistakes
136. Get your computer to speak back what you wrote before sending it to anyone
137. Give everyone a fair hearing before passing judgement
138. Give McDonalds credit for what they achieved before complaining about globalisation.
139. Give yourself enough time in the mornings to wake up properly
140. Google your name at least once a month as you never know what you may find
141. Have a filing system which can make some sense to other people
142. Have a zero tolerate approach to drinking and driving
143. Have some fun designing your own logo
144. Have your own website if you want to control what the world knows about you
145. If it is about who you know, make sure you know everyone
146. If you are going to kill someone, make sure you do it properly
147. If you are going to lie, make sure it is a good one!
148. If you aware of a problem, just solve it!
149. If you can not sleep, try listening to soft music
150. If you do not ask, you will never find out if it is possible
151. If you do not know the answer, admit it.
152. If you do not know you are being patronising when you are being patronising then you are definitely patronising.
153. If you enjoy listening to a lot of music, try Spotify
154. If you have a complaint, do something about it!
155. If you have a problem with a disabled person, tell them directly
156. If you know you are being 'ripped off' then you are not really being ripped you
157. If you smell a real out of control fire, call 999/112/911 immediately
158. If you swim everyday or so, consider wear a swimming hat
159. If you want to be famous, get your own domain name!
160. If you want to prevent yourself getting verrucas, wear latex swimming socks in pools
161. If you work from home, try to have at least one day out each week
162. Improve your life bit by bit, day by day
163. Invent creative ways of annoying telephone sales people that ring you to annoy you.
164. It is good to challenge the viewpoint of others
165. It is good to enjoy a holiday and also coming back from it
166. It is hard to make money out of helping people
167. It is important to balance good sleep and good food
168. It is sometimes quicker, easier and nicer to go by train rather than plane
169. Keep a clean body to keep a clean mind
170. Keep reviewing the services you are using to check if you still need them and whether you can get them cheaper from other providers
171. Keep saving a document every time you have a break
172. Keep your use of paper to a minimum
173. Know about your local public transport even if you do not intend to use it
174. Know how to be politely assertive
175. Know how to be politely rude
176. Know how to find personal space in a crowd
177. Know how to stop and enjoy right now
178. Know that the British and the Americans do not speak the same language despite how it appears
179. Know the difference between a carer and a personal assistant
180. Know the difference between impairment and disability
181. Know what your 'perfect day' would look like
182. Know when age appropriateness is not appropriate
183. Know when and when not to call the emergency services
184. Know when to not to immediately complain but to make a mental note for when you are ready
185. Know when to see the doctor and when not to
186. Know when to switch off your mobile phone
187. Know when you are stressed and what to do to relieve it
188. Know which battles to fight and which to walk away from
189. Know you are right until you are proven wrong
190. Learn as much as you can when you can
191. Learn at least how to say yes, no, hello and goodbye for the language of any country you visit
192. Learn from television soaps for when it happens to you
193. Learn how takeaway food can work as a part of a balance diet
194. Learn how to lose an argument against yourself so you appreciate both sides
195. Learn to be confident in water
196. Learn to embrace a level of pain rather than fear it
197. Look after the pennies/cents as well as the pounds/dollars/euros
198. Look after your staff so they can look after you
199. Look beyond the headline before making a comment
200. Make having a bath or a shower a luxurious experience
201. Make sleep an enjoyable experience
202. Make sure you are receiving everything you are entitled to
203. Make sure you have 'your' holiday
204. Make today your best day
205. Make your secondlife avatar a representation of your inner self
206. Most things are good for you in moderation
207. Never accept no from a customer service representative, it just means they do not know or more likely can't be bothered
208. Never assume anyone can not speak for themselves
209. Never assume everyone thinks like you
210. Never assume everything will straight forward
211. Never assume someone is stupid from the way their look
212. Never assume suicide is the only option available to you
213. Never assume they know you know they know
214. Never be frightened to ask for help
215. Never become too predictable
216. Never become too easy to read
217. Never blog about something and someone you may regret latter
218. Never buy something you can get for free
219. Never call Secondlife a game
220. Never fear feedback from others
221. Never feel guilty to have an afternoon nap if you need one
222. Never forget your mobile charger and power adapters when you go on holidays
223. Never go to bed without resolving a conflict with a loved one
224. Never judge a situation without asking question
225. Never leave home without a fully charged mobile
226. Never leave home without your keys
227. Never leave home without your business cards
228. Never let “what if” stop “what will”
229. Never let anyone bring down your mood when you are happy
230. Never make assumptions about how another country is different or the same
231. Never open the door to complete strangers
232. Never pretend to understand what someone says when you have not, ask them to repeat.
233. Never say 'we believe' when you mean 'I believe'
234. Never say never as you never know what will happen in the future
235. Never say no when you meant yes
236. Never say yes when you meant no
237. Never stop believing in anything you are passionate about
238. Never stop believing in Santa Claus
239. Never stop learning
240. Never stop remembering the feeling of being young
241. Never take yourself too seriously
242. Never tease someone for using more safety gear than you deem necessary
243. Never tell someone something they are not ready to hear
244. Never throw away any letter about your tax and benefits
245. Never treat anyone as less or more important than yourself.
246. Never treat anyone in a manner you would not want to be treated
247. Never under estimate the value of wetsuit booties
248. Never waste a good opportunity
249. Never wear a loosely fitting hat on a windy day
250. Never wear a seat harness without a crotch strap to avoid sliding down
251. Never worry about what others think about you
252. Nothing is as stable as you may believe, or last forever.
253. Obey any rule so much as its applies to you
254. Only accept an apology if you feel it is genuine
255. Only be controversial if you are prepared for the response.
256. Only buy supermarket offers if you know you are going to use the products and not waste them
257. Only call an ambulance if you can not get to the hospital by your own means
258. Only eat food you enjoy when you enjoy it
259. Only say sorry if you mean it
260. Only set up a limited company if it is really worth doing
261. Only tell a joke if you are confident you will make people laugh
262. People will remember when you do not say please or thank you
263. Prepare for your old age and how you wish to be supported when the time comes
264. Rather than telling someone they are wrong, ask them if they think they are doing it right
265. Read the Harry Potter books at least once
266. Realise technology is always improving so try to resist buying every piece of the latest technology
267. Recognise all your addictions (even Chocolate)
268. Regard money as a tool rather then a possession
269. Remember taxis are the ones that do not take cards!
270. Remember that every age had its good points and its bad points.
271. Remember that everyone is an individual with their own likes, dislikes, preferences and ways of doing thing
272. Remember that someone and something has a story worthy of telling.
273. Remember that the data is the most important part of a computer
274. Remember that the iPhone is not the only mobile phone in the world
275. Remember those that have helped you along the way
276. Remember to always record your favourite TV programmes so you do not miss them
277. Remember you are never too old to enjoy a pantomime
278. Remember you only live once and there are no second chances
279. Remembe that before the beginning is a thought
280. Respect other people's opinions without being afraid to challenge them
281. Respect other people's viewpoint and preferences
282. Respect the difference of others
283. Respect the fact you may not be fully aware of the culture of another person
284. Sandwich criticisms between positive points
285. See a summer's day as when you can wear t-shirts and shorts outside.
286. See New Year as a celebration of the past and the future
287. See the person but do not ignore their impairments
288. Send important documents by email in PDF format so they can not be edited
289. Share experiences with others in a way they understand
290. Support other people to make their own mistakes
291. Take control of when you will be available to talk
292. Take responsibility for your rights
293. Tell people what you can do, not what you can not do
294. The most important person in your life is YOU
295. There is nothing wrong with being determined
296. Too not take television soaps too seriously
297. Travel the world as much as possible
298. Treat everyone with respect as you may need their help one day
299. Try everything at least once so you can have an informed opinion on it
300. Try never to end a conversation on bad terms with the mother person
301. Try not to over fill your plate on an “all you can eat” buffet, it may be better to enjoy a smaller amount rather than stuff yourself silly!
302. Try to avoid a 'not in my backyard' attitude
303. Try to be very early for an event rather than be slightly late
304. Try to find all the pieces of your jigsaw
305. Try to have a spa treatment at least once a year
306. Try to make your website as accessible as you can
307. Try to manage your food in a way that minimises waste
308. Try to only buy personal treats when they are on sale
309. Try to remain friends with your former partners
310. Try to spend a little as you can on the things you need so you can spend as much as you can on the things you want
311. Try to taste anything at least once
312. Try to turn your weaknesses into strengths in their own right
313. Understand 'Best before' dates on food does not mean when they are inedible
314. Understand a carer may be a paid member of staff or an unpaid family member
315. Understand a good idea is nothing if no ones knows about it
316. Understand and appreciate leisure as helping your mental wellbeing rather than a form of luxury
317. Understand everyone is an individual with a viewpoint even if its appears they can not communicate
318. Understand good television programmes never disappear, they are just reinvented
319. Understand how to manage your energy by borrowing and paying back from your mind and body
320. Understand if you did not buy a ticket, you can not win the lottery, especially in another country
321. Understand it was not 'only a joke' if it was meant to be understood in that way
322. Understand language translation software may be useful but not as accurate as they try to be
323. Understand men and women are equal but different
324. Understand that everything has a beginning, middle and an end.
325. Understand that medical operations do not 'cure' you but rather just make the situation better
326. Understand that simple food like fresh bread can be the best
327. Understand that the book is often better than the film
328. Understand that there are more people watching you than you would ever know
329. Understand the desire to commit suicide is a feeling of hopelessness to a current problem that should never be acted upon
330. Understand the difference between a wetsuit and a drysuit
331. Understand the difference between faith and religion
332. Understand the difference between lying and not telling the truth
333. Understand trust can be won and lost in degrees
334. Understand which health service you need to use if you have a health issue
335. Understand why the year 2100 is not a leap year
336. Understand you can do anything you want so long as you take responsibility for the consequences
337. Understand you can only change attitudes by dictating how people should behave in specific situations
338. Understand your own feelings
339. Use facebook as a tool and not as a whole lifestyle
340. Use facebook to make a new relationship with old friends
341. Use money as a tool for happiness
342. Use the internet to check facts from a number of sources
343. Value the benefits of a hot shower or a warm bath
344. Value the importance of photographs
345. Value the richness of your memories
346. Visit somewhere you are worried about before you need to so you have time to overcome any fears
347. Watch your weight but do not stress about it
348. Wear the crotch strap properly on your lifejacket if when is fitted
349. When you apply for a job or enter a competition, enjoy each step of the process whatever the outcome
350. When you want to make a complain, try to find the direct email address to the most senior person in the organisation
351. Words can be easily spoken but never taken back
352. Work at the times you have most the most energy
353. Worry when you do not know what a letter says before you open it
354. Write down all your tasks for each day so you do not forget
355. Write down any ideas you have as soon as you can
356. You are never too old to have some childish fun
357. You are the age that you feel
358. You can do anything you want if you really want to and willing to do whatever it takes
359. You can never have enough friends
360. You can never predict the future and it can be amazing what is just around the corner
361. You can never take too many photographs
362. You can not threaten someone who has nothing to hide
363. You must do something deliberately for 28 days to make sure it becomes a habit
364. You should enjoy the majority of the day, not a minority
365. Your greatest achievements will be ones that no one else will know about