I recently had the opportunity to take an Uber ride with my wife, Leslie, on my way to the airport. It started just like any other rideshare experience as we made small talk with the driver and anticipated the day’s travel and destination.
Quickly, I realized we had an extraordinary driver who had fantastic people and communication skills, and, more importantly, a zest for life. Within 15 minutes, we discovered that we shared a few things in common: Sallie was a roller skater, happily married, and had invested in his health throughout his life. That was encouraging—he was in his 70s and looked great!
How often do you take an Uber ride that inspires you to be a better person?
This driver made an impression. He had such a positive outlook and a happy disposition. Ironically, he was retired from a multi-decade tenure at the county coroner’s office. (Now if that doesn’t make you cheery, what will?!)
As a surprise parting gift, Sallie handed us a 4"x6" piece of paper with his “10 Rules of Life” on it. Now, I’m sharing it with you.
Want to be a better employee, team member, or employer? Think of the list as the “10 Rules of Work.” Print it out to keep with you and, hopefully, you feel as inspired as my little paper makes me.
The power of positivity cannot be overstated. You are in control of your perspective, and you can also have a significant impact on your environment and the people around you—you’ll get back what you put out. This is a daily decision and practice, which will become less and less effort as you go along.
Let’s make 2024 an uber-great year and pass the positivity forward!
10 Rules of Life
1. Make peace with your past: Focus on the present and on creating a better future.
2. Avoid negativity: Surround yourself with positive people.
3. Give it time: Time heals almost anything.
4. Don’t compare your life to others, and don’t judge people: Everyone is on a different journey.
5. Stop thinking too much: It’s all right to not know the answers.
6. Before you criticize someone, take time to get to know them: You might be surprised at how much you have in common.
7. Only you are in charge of your happiness: Be strong and move on.
8. Be kind: You have the power to make people feel good.
9. Life is short: Enjoy it while you can.
10. Smile: A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
