Hi Everyone! It's Tim here. Today, selfishly, I would like to share what I learned from one of my favorite books called "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" by Jordan Peterson. Since there are 12 of them, I will only pick six of the them that are more resonate with me.
The book: https://www.books.com.tw/products/F0140 ... INkhWlXtuo
I know the author can be a bit controversial and I know some of you might starting to google his name
Besides all that, rather than offering quick fixes, Peterson encourages deep reflection and personal responsibility. In this article, we explore the first six of his twelve rules, focusing on themes like self-care, truthfulness, and growth. These ideas invite us to look inward and make meaningful, manageable changes that ripple out into the world around us.
Without further of due, here are the six rules,
1. Treat Yourself Like Someone You Are Responsible for Helping
Peterson noticed that people often take better care of their pets than they do of themselves. We make sure the dog gets its medicine, walks, and healthy food—yet we skip our own meals, ignore pain, and beat ourselves up for being tired.
We often show more care to others than to ourselves. This rule challenges us to take our own wellbeing seriously, as if we were caring for a loved one. That means taking our health, goals, and potential seriously—not with guilt, but with responsibility.
2. Make Friends with People Who Want the Best for You
Some people are drawn to your failure—it makes them feel better. But good friends encourage your growth, challenge you when you're off track, and celebrate your wins. This rule asks us to assess: do the people close to me really want the best for me?
The people you surround yourself with shape your path. Friends who want you to succeed—not out of envy, but true support—are rare and powerful. This rule invites us to choose our company carefully.
3. Compare Yourself to Who You Were Yesterday, Not to Who Someone Else is Today
Social media and modern life make it way too easy to compare yourself to someone who seems more talented, successful, or attractive. But that’s an illusion. The only comparison that matters is whether you’re moving forward in your own life.
Every time when you are about to compare yourself to others, ask "Do I want his/her whole life?". A boat which carry tons of treasure often having more scars on itself.
4. Set Your House in Perfect Order Before You Criticize the World
Before trying to fix the world, fix your own chaos. That might mean cleaning your room, dealing with unresolved resentment, or confronting your bad habits. It’s not about perfection—it’s about integrity.
"To govern a country, one must first bring order to one's own household." - [大學]
5. Pursue What is Meaningful (Not What is Expedient)
Expedience is about what gets you out of discomfort quickly—lying, cheating, procrastinating. But meaning asks for discipline, sacrifice, and honesty. It’s harder... and it’s worth it. He also talks about how strong the human minds are. We see the future rewards even through suffering.
By Cambridge Dictionary: Expedient: helpful or useful in a particular situation, but sometimes not morally acceptable
6. Tell the Truth — Or, At Least, Don’t Lie
This rule doesn’t demand perfection—it just asks you to stop knowingly deceiving. When you lie, even small ones, you twist your own soul. You begin to distrust yourself. Over time, that breaks you down.
If you twist the fabric of the reality for too long it's going to break, without a doubt.
He mentioned what Adler said about "Life Lies", here are some examples,
“I could’ve been great if only my parents had supported me.”
“I can’t trust anyone, that’s why I never try.”
“I have to please others to be loved.”
FYI, I will spend more time on sharing these ideas before discussion, and I will invite people to join the discussion as well. So don't be shy, let's have a fun time.
Reference Material:
Lecture: 12 Rules for Life Tour - Melbourne, Australia. | Jordan B. Peterson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPv1RYsi7sA
A fan's note from the book
https://mark-mishaev.medium.com/notes-f ... d48a0cac56
Questions for Discussion:
Session I:
Q1. Why is it easier to help others than ourselves?
Q2. Who in your life truly wants the best for you?
Q3. Have you ever had to let go of someone who was holding you back?
Q4. What’s one small area you’ve improved in recently?
Q5. How can self-comparison become more constructive than destructive?
Session II:
Q1. One thing he always like to say if you want to start to organize your damn life, you should start cleaning your room. Why is that? And do you think it works?
Q2. How does personal order impact how you see the world?
Q3. When have you chosen the expedient path over the meaningful one? and how do we avoid it?
Q4. What are the costs of telling small lies?
Agenda:
6:45 ~ 7:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
7:00 ~ 7:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
7:10 ~ 7:45pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
7:45 ~ 8:00pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:00 ~ 8:05pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving / Taking a 5 Minutes Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
8:05 ~ 8:40pm Discussion Session (35 mins)
8:40 ~ 8:55pm Summarization (15 mins)
8:55 ~ 9:00pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements
Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $85)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘
Important Notes:
1. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
2. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three-minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion.
3. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for three times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1000 lifetime membership fee, or NT$500 for students.