For students of the Ron Paul Curriculum. . . .
Here is why you should take me seriously. I was born in 1942. I have seen what works and what doesn’t.
I have a Ph.D. I am rich by most Americans’ standards. I have never been divorced. I am in good health — and have been since age 9. I am content with my life. There is nothing that I want that I cannot not pay cash for. I spend almost no money on buying consumer goods, except for used books, because I own everything I want, and I have for 30 years.
Take my advice.
I could list these rules by order of importance or by chronology. I chose chronology. You must get into good habits now. Start where you are.
- This is the #1 rule of success in every area of life: exceptional service.
- Honesty really is the best policy.
- Progress rests on these words: “Let’s make a deal.”
- Adopt this as your criterion for decision-making: “Something is better than nothing.”
- Adopt its corollary: “You can’t beat something with nothing.”
- Adopt its other corollary: “There is no such thing as a free lunch.”
- When you receive a gift, say “thanks.” It cost the gift-giver something.
- Life is a trade-off between time and money. Watch for any unexpected change in the ratio.
- Early warning signal: when an event a year ago seems like a month ago.
- Never post anything on Facebook or Twitter that you would not say face-to-face.
- Be fair to everyone on your way up. You will meet them again on your way down.
- Memorize people’s names. This will open many doors in life.
- People are more interested in themselves than in you. So, start with them.
- When you start a project, finish it. Obvious dead ends are exceptions. Be sure.
- Start thinking about your lifetime calling. On your calling, watch this.
- Put your three major lifetime goals in writing. Create plans to achieve them.
- All written plans should be specific and have deadlines. Review these plans on a schedule.
- Work hard for half a day for the rest of your life. It doesn’t matter which half.
- Take one day off each week. No exceptions. Plan your work schedule for this.
- Budget your time to be in control of your life. Time is the only irreplaceable resource.
- Cut TV viewing to an hour a day. Use TiVo. Skip the ads.
- Do the same with social media, texting, and phone calls. One hour, total.
- Set up a budget for money. Then stick with it. Mint is free.
- Tithe 10% of your earned/invested income to your church. No church? Then charities.
- Save 10% of your earned/invested income. Put it in the bank until you have $1,500.
- Earn some part-time income. Get a job or start a business.
- Start using Evernote Clipper. Clip articles from now on.
- Learn screencasting. Screencast-O-Matic is free.
- Buy an external microphone. The Nady LM-14/U is cheap.
- Start a YouTube channel. It’s free.
- Learn Scrivener. This is the key tool for writing reports and papers.
- Take as much math as you can handle. Do not cut off your career possibilities.
(For the rest of my list, click the link.)
