Principles of Adult Behavior

Originally sourced from John Perry Barlow’s Principles of Adult Behavior. Modified and expanded by me.

• Be patient. No matter what.
• Don’t badmouth: Assign responsibility, not blame.
• Expand your sense of the possible.
• Don’t trouble yourself with matters you truly cannot change.
• Tolerate ambiguity.
• Laugh at yourself frequently. (laugh at the absurdity of life?)
• Concern yourself with what is right rather than who is right.
• Never forget that, no matter how certain, you might be wrong.
• Remember that your life belongs to others as well. Don’t risk it frivolously.
• Learn the needs of those around you and respect them.
• Avoid the pursuit of happiness. Seek to define your mission and pursue that.
• Praise at least as often as you disparage.
• Admit your errors freely and soon.
• Become less suspicious of joy.
• Understand humility.
• Remember that love forgives everything.
• Foster dignity.
• Live memorably.
• Love yourself.
• Endure.
• Don't yuck on someone else's yum.
• Avoid feigned surprise.
• Live without contempt.
• We all die once, but we live every day until then.

Other Sources

100 ways to slightly improve your life without really trying