12 rules you can live by

There’s a cozy little hotel I get to stay in every time I go to Dumaguete for speaking engagements. The place is very clean, alcohol is not allowed and the staff are well trained and friendly.

As I was checking out from the hotel I saw a tiny little poster they had and was immediately intrigued by it. The title of the poster says: “12 Rules You Can Live By.” I asked permission to have a copy and happily they obliged. Let me share it with you.

Here are 12 Rules You Can Live By:

1. If you open it…close it.

2. If you turn it on…turn it off.

3. If you unlock it…lock it.

4. If you move it…put it back.

5. If it belongs to someone else and you want it…get permission.

6. If you don’t know how to operate it…leave it alone.

7. If you borrow it…return it.

8. If you use it…take care of it.

9. If you break it…repair it.

10. If you can’t fix it…call someone who can.

11. If you mess it up…clean it up.

12. If you can brighten someone’s day…say it.

Life is simple. Men just complicate it.

Rule number 1 says if you open it, close it. This is what drives mothers nuts. Family opens a tube of toothpaste and nobody cares to close it.

Rule number 2 applies to the family as well as the work place. Somebody turns on the TV or the Aircon but nobody bothers to turn it off. Imagine the waste of energy and the money you will have to pay for electricity.

Rule Number 3. You unlock your door and you forget to lock it again – bad news especially if you’re living in our neighborhood.

You move a piece of furniture just so you can have a better view of your TV. That’s fine but after doing so, move it back to its original place.

If it belongs to someone else and you want it, ask permission. Don’t just take something that does not belong to you. In fact, don’t you dare touch it until permission is secured. And for those who are a bit more matured, don’t you dare want something or someone who already belongs to someone else. This is how murders and crimes of passion take place.

If you don’t know how to operate it, leave it alone. Guess how many pieces of office equipment have been destroyed by people who have no business touching it in the first place.

The next rule is so real: if you borrow it, return it. And this includes the books you borrowed, the money lent to you and all sorts of other things. Return them because you promised to.

If you use it, take care of it. Everything costs so much these days, and a good steward knows that it is his obligation to care for the things he’s using.

You know I can easily tell if a cab is owned by the driver or not. The owner-driver drives it carefully and avoids humps and bumps, while the hireling drives it recklessly. Simply because the latter doesn’t care.

If you break it, repair it and make sure you pick up the tab.

If you can’t fix it, don’t touch it. Call in the experts or else you’ll destroy the thing.

If you cause a big mess, clean it up. Don’t start blaming others because problems are not solved this way.

And finally, if you can brighten someone’s day, say it.

Giving an honest compliment doesn’t cost you anything but it sure can encourage people to do their best.

Life is beautiful. It is a gift from God. Live it to the fullest.

(Develop your leadership skills with Francis Kong this Jan. 19-20 at the EDSA Shangrila-Hotel. Call Pam or Kriselle of Inspire Leadership Consultancy Inc. 632-6872614 or 09178511115 for further details.)