Many would have interpreted and defined 12 rules for life that Jordan B. Peterson has explained. In this article, I will share my analysis being a reader of the book and a professional writer. Before discussing any rule, I need to share some feelings that are going within me. A few minutes ago, I needed to share my excitement with someone. Whoever I find first. But they were not ready to even listen 6 rules of life. I never knew I had to face some troubles within me after doing it. Today, returning from work, I shared my excitement about discovering the price of a home in a prime city location.
But, at that time I ignored the mood of my neighbour and everything that I believe is important to consider. Moreover, I am kind of a person who likes keeping my personality a secret. It happened because 12 rules of writing was going on all in my mind. But that situation troubled me later. I started pondering many things after that. Such as, what now? It was dominating in my thought process.
Why was also a question. I should have done this and that but in reality i can not do anything except showing precautions to save myself from mental chaos. Therefore, I decided to give an order to my personality following the 12 life rules as described by Jordan B. Peterson. His book 12 rules for life helped me pursuing good habits. Therefore, I actually admire 12 rules of life book and try to give a specific shape to the chaos i face in my life.
Sometimes tiny situations trouble you. But, when one follows the rules of life, it becomes easier to give an order to chaos. Like unexpected that you never wanted to happen but that happens. In addition, you do not want something to lose entirely. However, it becomes a challenging task to make someone understand the need of your soul and identity. Therefore I have decided to follow the 12 rules for life. These help us in maintaining a balance in lie. The following rules Jordan B. Peterson has shared in his book. Here is the 12 rules for life list:
- Stand up straight with your shoulders back
- Treat yourself like you are responsible for helping
- Make friends with people who want the best for you
- Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today
- Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them
- Set your house in perfect order before you criticise the world
- Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)
- Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie
- Assume that the person you are listening to might know something you don’t
- Be precise in your speech
- Do not bother children when they are skateboarding
- Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street
1. Stand up for your yourself
It is the time to make the decision about what you want in life. Take responsibility to fulfil your wishes. Therefore, Jordan B. Peterson suggests not always choosing easy paths in life. When you have to move on a journey in life to achieve something. Nothing will come before you like a piece of cake and you start enjoying the new life. However, these are rules to life that create your strong identity. Things do not start happening instantaneously just because you accept the situation. Furthermore, it is more about making deals that trouble you.
However, I believe that it is not always about coming out of comfort zones. The more I believe in producing the best I can do. So, it comes out of you like a bright ray from your forehead. Whether it comes out in one shape or another. I believe reaching milestones is important. So, you achieve in staying in comfort or you break it. The productivity should increase your contentment. That, I have understood from the first rule of twelve rules for life. It offers something great and substantial to understand the interplay between chaos and order.
2. Helping others with no expectations
Helping others according to Jordan B. Peterson is as important for you as fulfilling needs are important for your survival. It needs one more dragon in the time to overcome hurdles. Understanding and implementation of the 12 rules for life becomes easier. In addition, one learns fighting with chaos.No matter, those are internal or external. One seeks abandoning shadows and maintaining deserts.
But, where to lead and proceed that often equips with momentum. People start knowing about your personality. You start discovering new truths. Therefore, helping others is important in life. Similarly, the author often draws attention towards evolutionary psychology. This theory emphasises social creatures benefit from mutual aid and cooperation.
At the same time, it aligns with Peterson’s lesson of acknowledging challenges and responsibilities in life. However, helping others without any expectation is a dare within itself. Helping others can boost feelings of self-worth, purpose, and satisfaction. This aligns with Peterson’s emphasis on personal responsibility and taking on challenges. Jordan B. Peterson also underscores the significance of personal, subjective elements in the 12 rules of life. Such as emotions and pain in understanding human existence. Because, it is important to maintain a balance between chaos and order.
3. Make friends with people who want the best for you
It is hard to find. I invite you to the Punjab, if you really want to see people like that. But, it is hard to find. Not becoming successful does not mean that it is not one of the 12 rules to life. You have to make some kinds of essential targets that respect your opinions. In addition, they match the soul of your personality. But, it is important to get some good balance in chaos and order. The people who advise you the best will go in favour of you. As teasing someone with the best of your thoughts takes effort. Similarly, thinking good for someone with the best of your effort takes time and energy. And sometimes courage as well. However, implementation of the 12 rules will help you to identify them. So, the people who do such things for you. Make them your friends.
Here one needs to get a control over emotions that create chaos and those that get your personality in order. The competition matters, winning and methods of survival matters. Indeed, objectives and intentions matter. The rules for life teach you to wisely choose your companions. It gets in time and one performs to gain with getting the fruits of running some extra miles.
4. Celebrating achievements makes you happy
Celebrate your achievements, even the small ones. It makes you realise your importance. One gains confidence and lives life enjoying the purpose. At the same time, new challenges come up. But, this time you are not the same as you were before. It is about moving ahead in life with new lessons and relishing the taste of your victories. See how many are still on the previous path that you have threaded.
Furthermore, it is not about comparing yourself to others but recognising your progress and finding happiness in your journey. It is one of the essential 12 rules of life from Jordan B. Peterson’s lessons. The fourth rule encourages this, urging you to compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not others today. Take responsibility for your growth by actively seeking out your strengths and positive qualities. Focus on internal understanding, not external validation. Emphasise personal growth and motivation, framing challenges as opportunities for development. Set your own goals and measure progress against your own standards, steering clear of comparisons. This way, you’ll find happiness and fulfilment through your unique path of self-discovery.
5. Raising a children is responsibility
As we have talked earlier that friends should advise the best they belief to their friends. Having a friendly relationship with friends is important to nourish family relationships. At the same time, parents do not wish something bad for their children. These are the inventions that one creates and finds rules to live by. Similarly, One does not want children to follow the wrong path. The pattern of living for the next generation should become better than the previous. Therefore, Jordan B. Peterson suggests to follow some patriarchal implementation to move further with the right approach. It is about giving something good to your society.
Jordan B. Peterson emphasises the importance of guiding and disciplining children with love and consistency. The statement “Do not let your children do anything that makes you dislike them”. It was one of that 12rules for life on which Peterson was ready for harsh criticism. But they should give them a space as well to find and create their own identity. However, this suggests that parents should set appropriate boundaries and enforce rules. In this way, they ensure that children develop positive behaviour and character traits. And, it helps them to develop a noble personality. They interact better with others and behave in a good way to live in streams. Peterson often talks about the role of discipline in shaping a child’s character and enabling them to navigate the complexities of life successfully. The idea is to raise children who are respectful, responsible, and capable of contributing positively to society.
6. Focus on your personality development
I believe 12 rules for life rules because these groom your personality. These help you to bring internal chaos in an order. Then focus on the things that externally trouble you. It helps in multiple ways to live a better life. Often troubling starts when you find wrong doings in the society. You do not want to agree to some specific parameters of the society. However, the writer tells a remedy that focuses on your personality development. Rather accepting multiple challenges that hit you back with certain logics. Improve yourself rather than getting your nose into every competition. It becomes possible when you compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.
Focus on your developed abilities and position. Your true continuous struggle with the right direction must have given you something. Therefore, the sixth rule of Jordan B. Peterson stresses the significance of addressing internal weaknesses. Practice it before tackling external challenges, resonating with Peterson’s message of taking responsibility for your own well-being. However, while your statement mentions dealing with ‘things that externally trouble you,’ the rule specifically emphasises internal comparison.
It is important to strengthen your inner foundation. Get familiar with your capacities and strengths. This technique helps in handling the challenges that arise outside yourself as well. At the same time, it leads to a more fulfilling life.
Delve into the repercussions of neglecting internal chaos by examining how unaddressed anxieties, habits, or negative thoughts manifest in your life. Illustrate the hindrance these internal issues pose to effectively addressing external problems. Transition to the benefits of prioritising internal order, explaining how self-improvement, addressing weaknesses, and cultivating healthy coping mechanisms empower you to face external challenges. Bolster your points with personal anecdotes or examples, showcasing the positive impact of internal order on relationships, work, and personal goals. Connect these discussions to Jordan B. Peterson’s 6th rule, emphasizing the core message of internal order before external criticism. Make it relatable by incorporating your own voice and experiences while exploring how this rule aligns with broader themes in Peterson’s work, such as personal agency, individual responsibility, self-respect, delayed gratification, and finding meaning in life. Here completes 6 rules of life.
7. Pursue what is meaningful (not what is expedient)
Now, the 7th rule in the 12 rules for life suggests that consider the risks of taking shortcuts before opting it. Ponder upon how chasing quick fixes and immediate gratification can lead to long-term dissatisfaction and missed opportunities. Figure out what ‘meaningful’ really means to you—whether it’s your personal goals, things you value, what you love, or ways you help others. Show how going after what really matters makes your life better. Give examples of how doing things that match your values and passions brings more happiness and purpose, even when it’s tough. Connect these thoughts to rule 7—pick a path that fits your values for a more meaningful life.
8. Tell the truth—or, at least, don’t lie
In Rule 8, “Tell the Truth—Or, at Least, Don’t Lie,” Jordan Peterson recounts experiences from his clinical psychology training and personal life to illustrate the importance of truthfulness. He reflects on situations where telling the truth, even when uncomfortable, had positive outcomes. Peterson emphasises the consequences of living a “life-lie,” where individuals manipulate reality to fit their desires, leading to a shallow existence. He argues that facing the unknown, acknowledging truths, and making genuine contributions to life are essential for personal growth and a meaningful existence. The rule underscores the transformative power of truth and the dangers of deceptive behaviours.
The rules for life discuss the importance of living truthfully and the consequences of deceit. It emphasises the negative impact of inauthenticity on individuals and society, drawing on philosophical, literary, and psychological perspectives. The text explores the relationship between lies, totalitarianism, and the corruption of the soul and state. It also delves into the concept of hell as a metaphor for the psychological consequences of deceit. The author advocates for setting truthful goals, being attentive to one’s actions, and embracing the transformative power of truth despite the inherent risks. The narrative draws insights from religious, mythological, and psychological perspectives to convey its message.
The passage emphasises the importance of courage, faith, and living in truth. It discusses the idea that while concrete goals are necessary, they should be subordinated to a meta-goal of living in truth. The author explores the concept that lies, even small ones, can lead to destructive consequences, corrupting the world and one’s relationship with reality. Living in truth is presented as a way to build a meaningful life, avoid chaos, and contribute positively to the world. The transformative power of truth, both personally and collectively, is highlighted, concluding with the idea that truth is the ultimate, inexhaustible natural resource that brings light to the darkness.
9. The role of genuine conversations
The seventh rule of Jordan B. Peterson in the book 12 rules for life discusses the role of truthfulness in life. The author probably says it’s important for folks to think and talk about their thoughts. In addition, the writer also talks about a method called Rogerian, which is like a good way of talking. It helps memories stick and avoids making fake arguments. There are different kinds of talks, like ones about being in charge, giving lessons, or just exploring ideas. Exploring ideas is seen as the best because it’s like doing philosophy and always wanting to know more.
It says listening and understanding other people’s experiences is super important. The rule really pushes for talks that aren’t just about agreeing but finding out what’s true and smart through open chats. So, the big idea is that talking is cool, especially when you’re really trying to learn and understand something.
10. Be precise in your speech
The tenth rule talks about the idea of precision in speech and explores why laptops become obsolete quickly. It highlights that our perception of objects, like laptops, is limited and simplifies the complex interconnected world. In this rule the writer emphasizes that what we see are tools and obstacles, not just objects, and our perceptions serve our plans and actions. It also discusses the extendable boundaries of self, including tools and other people, and the deep identification we have with fictional characters, groups, and even countries. The overall theme is about the complexity of perception, the functional simplification of the world, and the need for precision in communication.
Furthermore, the writer discusses the complexity of reality and the limited, simplified perceptions we maintain until faced with crises. The author uses examples like a broken car or a betrayed spouse to illustrate how our understanding of the world crumbles when things go wrong. The narrative delves into the emergence of chaos and the need for preparedness, emphasising the importance of addressing issues in relationships before they escalate. The analogy of a growing dragon in a household is employed to depict the gradual accumulation of unaddressed problems leading to a catastrophic outcome. Overall, it explores the consequences of neglecting or avoiding the deeper realities of life.
In a nutshell, the writer delves into the complexities of relationships, particularly marriage, and emphasizes the importance of clear communication and precise language. It explores the consequences of avoiding or refusing to confront issues, suggesting that articulating problems and specifying desires is crucial for navigating life’s challenges. The author encourages facing the chaos of existence, using honest and careful speech to bring order to one’s personal and relational landscapes.
11. Do not bother children when they are skateboarding
The 11th rule, “Do not bother children when they are skateboarding” explores the significance of embracing controlled risk and exploration in children’s lives, respecting their individual agency and growth, finding meaning in the pursuit of skill and mastery, and connecting the rule to broader themes of responsibility and meaning. The rule emphasises the importance of allowing children the space to navigate challenges, make decisions, and learn from experiences, promoting autonomy and personal growth. It also raises questions about societal attitudes towards risk and overprotective parenting.
12. Pet a cat when you encounter one on the street
This chapter explores the 12th rules for life, urging readers to pet cats (and dogs) when encountered on the street. Jordan Peterson shares a personal anecdote about his American Eskimo dog, Sikko, and delves into the psychological concept of minimal group identification. He connects this to the story of his daughter Mikhaila’s struggle with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, highlighting the intertwining of vulnerability and Being. The passage discusses the limitations essential for meaningful existence, drawing parallels with the character development of Superman in pop culture, emphasising the necessity of reasonable constraints for true heroism. The chapter grapples with the philosophical question of suffering in the face of limitations, exploring the interconnectedness of existence, vulnerability, and the human experience.
The 12 rules for life describe the author’s daughter, Mikhaila’s, struggles with chronic health issues, including hip and ankle problems. It details the challenges faced in finding effective pain management, medical treatments, and the emotional toll on Mikhaila and her family. The narrative also touches on existential questions about the nature of suffering and the importance of finding meaning and goodness in life despite its hardships. The story concludes with a positive update on Mikhaila’s improved health, marriage, and the birth of her daughter, Elizabeth.
