Principles to Live By: Lessons I’ve Adopted Along the Way

Over time, I’ve picked up various principles that have shaped how I live my life. Whether these principles are about finances, relationships, operating a business or personal growth, they guide me in navigating the complexities of everyday life with purpose and clarity.

Here’s a collection of 44+ key principles I’ve gathered over the past 44 years. Some of these are inspired by renowned investors like Buffett, Munger, and Dalio, while others draw from a more stoic philosophy or individuals like Mike Tyson, Scott Galloway and even myself. I’ve adapted and refined them based on my own experiences and insights. They form part of my daily decision process and are systematically built into the checklists for not only how we deployment capital but also the way I live my life and how I shape my values.

Relationships

Treat People the Way You Want Them to Treat You: Simple acts of kindness and respect often come back to you. If you’re nice to someone, they’ll likely be nice in return.
You Can Take Everything from Someone, but Not Their Integrity: You are in 100% control of your word and how you conduct yourself. Integrity is something that cannot be taken from you.
Most Successful Relationships Are Based on Giving, Not Taking: In both business and personal life, aim to give rather than keep a ledger. Generosity builds strong, successful relationships.
We Judge Ourselves by Our Intentions and Others by Their Actions: Be mindful of how you evaluate yourself and others. Understand that intentions and actions might not always align.
Most People are Like a Tyre with a Slow Leak, They Let You Down: While many people may have good intentions, the reality is that a majority will eventually let you down. This is a common aspect of human nature, so it’s wise to be cautious and manage your expectations.
You Can’t Make a Deal with a Bad Person: Unethical, negative, or narcissistic individuals are often unreasonable and untrustworthy. Any agreement you make with them is likely to fail, so it’s better to avoid dealing with such people altogether. Beware of people who are rude to waiters and service staff!
Opinions Are Like Assholes; Everyone Has One: Most of the time, offering an opinion isn’t helpful, especially when it’s not well-formed by facts or experience. Try listening and asking people how they feel.
Everyone Has a Plan Until They Get Punched in the Face: Often used to illustrate the idea that no matter how well-prepared or planned someone is, unexpected challenges can change everything.

Personal Growth

Do You Live to Work or Work to Live?: Finding a good work-life balance should be a priority. The days are long, but the years are short. Make time for what truly matters.
It’s Not That You Can’t Do It; You Just Don’t Know How to Do It Yet: Many things are possible to master if you’re willing to take the first step and learn. Believe in your ability to grow and improve.
You’re the Average of the Five People You Spend the Most Time With: Surround yourself with positive, growth-oriented individuals. Remove toxic and narcissistic people from your life.
The Best Form of Revenge is to Live a Better Life: Don’t lower yourself to the level of others. Set a positive example and focus on your own growth and happiness.
You Can’t Control the Behaviour of Others, but You Can Control Your Response: While you can’t change how others act, you can always choose how you respond. Keep your composure and act thoughtfully.
Nothing is as Good or as Bad as It Seems: Don’t think you’re invincible when things are going well, nor feel like it’s the end of the world when things are tough. Time changes everything.
The Best Way to Eat an Elephant is One Bite at a Time: Big challenges can be tackled by breaking them down into smaller, manageable steps. Take things one step at a time.
Don’t Let People Live Rent-Free in Your Head: It’s easy to be consumed by others’ behaviour, but it’s better to focus on your own path. Let go of distractions caused by others.
A Foolish Man Thinks He Knows Everything. A Wise Man Knows He Doesn’t: Continuously seek opinions that challenge your thinking and views. Humility and openness lead to growth.
Rudeness Often Is a Wave Caused by a Storm Below the Surface: If someone is rude or short with you, it’s likely due to deeper issues or struggles they are dealing with, unrelated to you.
Your Map Isn’t the Same as Someone Else’s Territory: Everyone is focused on their own needs and priorities. Don’t assume others are aligned with your goals.
Glass Half Full is Better Than a Glass Half Empty: Optimistic people tend to experience more success in life than pessimists. A positive outlook can lead to better outcomes, resilience, and the ability to seize opportunities.
If You Avoid Failure, You Also Avoid Success: Failure is an integral part of the journey to success. Embrace it, learn from it, and keep moving forward. Avoiding failure means missing out on opportunities to grow and succeed.
I’d Rather Regret the Things I’ve Done Than Regret the Things I Didn’t do: It’s better to take risks, embrace experiences and learn from mistakes rather than live with the uncertainty of missed opportunities.
Alcohol Steals Happiness from the Future: You’ll pay the price tomorrow for the indulgences of today. Alcohol may offer temporary relief, but it often takes away from your future well-being. I really struggle to shake this one!!!

Operating a Business

Shit Happens, What Defines You as Leader is How You Deal With It: 10% of people will always hate you and another 10% will always love you. The remaining 80% will judge you from the way you conduct yourself.
A Good Negotiation Involves Leaving Something On the Table: You don’t need to squeeze every last dollar. Aim for a negotiation where both parties leave with a sense of satisfaction and a small win.
Show Me the Incentive, and I’ll Show You the Outcome: People generally act based on what they’re incentivised to do. Understanding these incentives often provides insights into their behaviour and results.
Are You a Lion Hunting Mice or Antelope?: You only have limited hours each day, so use that time wisely. Focus on high-impact tasks and remember the 80:20 rule.
Don’t Mistake Skills with Luck: Its important to differentiate between success achieved through one’s abilities and expertise, versus success that comes about by chance or fortune. We all know someone “who backed a clown cart up to a gold mine”.
Catch Someone a Fish or Teach Them to Fish?: It may be quicker to solve someone’s problems, but showing them the process to a solution makes them more self-sufficient in the long run.
Seeing the Forest Through the Trees: To make strategic decisions, you need to be able to join the dots and think two or three steps ahead, not just focus on immediate details.
Rip the Band-Aid Off and Deal with the Immediate Pain: Don’t delay making critical decisions or having difficult conversations because of short-term discomfort. A brief period of pain can lead to significant long-term benefits. “A person’s success in life can usually be measured by the number of uncomfortable conversations he or she is willing to have.”
If You’re the Smartest Person in the Room, You’re in the Wrong Room: To grow your mind, seek environments where you are challenged and can learn from others who know more than you. This goes for building a team around you, don’t be afraid to employ or use the services of people that are smarter than you.
Zig Why Everyone Else Zags: Success often favours contrarian thinkers who dare to take the unconventional path—when everyone goes left, they choose to look right.

Investing

Financial Freedom is Having More Passive Income Than Expenses: Creating sources of passive income that exceed your expenses allows you financial freedom. Financial freedom then creates Wealth as it allows you to spend your time how you please.
It is Called Capitalism Because Wealth Comes from Putting Capital Not Labour to Work: A few people can become wealthy by selling their time (labour) but to generate passive income you need to deploy capital.
Compound Interest Is the Eighth Wonder of the World: Harness the power of compound interest, and let time turn small efforts into extraordinary results.
The Easiest Way to Build Wealth is Slowly: Money makes money through the power of compound interest. Building wealth slowly and steadily is more successful than get rich schemes.
Concentration Builds Wealth, Diversification Preserves It: Many fortunes are built through bold risk-taking but lost when entrepreneurs fail to adjust their risk appetite as they grow—understanding where you are in your financial/personal lifecycle is key to long-term wealth preservation.
Purchase Great Companies at Reasonable Prices: Reduce your risk by investing in proven companies with solid defenses, rather than opting for mediocre companies at seemingly great prices.
He Who Lives by the Crystal Ball Will Eat Shattered Glass: Trying to predict the future is a risky endeavour. Instead, focus on the facts and managing risks effectively.
Be Fearful When Others Are Greedy and Greedy When Others Are Fearful: Greed and fear are natural feelings that affect people as a group. Going against the herd mentality can lead to great investments.
Don’t Pass Up Something Attractive Today for the Hope of Something Better Tomorrow: Seize opportunities as they arise because they won’t always be around. Act on good opportunities when you see them.
The Market is a Voting Machine in the Short Term and a Weighing Machine in the Long Run: Don’t get caught up in short-term market fluctuations. Over time, true value will be recognised, and quality investments will rise to the top. Patience and long-term thinking are key.
The Most Important Financial Decision You’ll Ever Make Is Who You Build Your Life With: Because the person you build your life with doesn’t just shape your happiness—they shape your financial future too. Get it right, and you compound wealth together. Get it wrong, and divorce can be one of the most emotionally and financially expensive decisions of your life.
Never be a forced seller. Sell by choice, not by necessity. To achieve the best price for an asset, ensure you’re in control of the timing and circumstances of the sale, driven by strategy rather than necessity.

Even though I have these principles written down, I don’t always manage to follow them. This shortcoming is just a part of my journey to success, a journey that is ongoing rather than having a definitive end. However, these principles have become the foundation of how I approach life, relationships, business and investing.

I consciously try and review them monthly and by keeping these ideas in mind, I strive to make thoughtful and intentional decisions that align with my goals and values.