While I was flying to Australia I decided to take a look around the in-flight entertainment system. I then decided that since it was 10:00 at night, I could not be bothered to watch a film and did not want to read the article on catastrophic failure (for reasons too obvious to explain) in New Scientist. Thus, I decided to try an audio book. I had a flick through what was there and decided I would listen to the Rules of Life by Richard Templar. This, I must admit was unusual for me as I never read self-help or life coaching books as I think I do quite a good job of living. Anyway, there was only three to chose from so I just shoved the thing on and was done with it.
But as I sat listening I got more and more interested. This book was interesting, engaging and enthralling. I can assure you it would have taken a pneumatic drill to sever the connection between my ear and the headphone. Then a wallop in the face from the butt of the drill to get me out of my mesmerised trance.
The book was simple. A set of numbered rules, from 1 -100, read out in order with an explanation of why and how they will improve your life. Many were common sense but some, admittedly, I could do with paying attention to. Here is a few examples that stood out to me (the bits in brackets are me):
2 You'll get older but not necessarily wiser
11 Be the last to raise your voice
17 Aim to be the very best at everything you do not second best
22 Dress like today is important (oops)
26 Have a sense of humour
34 You'll never understand everything (I'll give it a dam good shot though)
38 Maintain good manners in all things
42 Shop for quality, not price (I'm sure, like me, you've flicked through a catalogue and think something is the best because its expensive)
44 Stay young
45 Throwing money at a problem doesn't always work
60 Make sure your love making is making love
72 Never lend money unless you are prepared to write it off (bankers?)
73 There are no bad children
96 Check what history would say about you
98 Not everything can be green
The thing I like about this book is that it is stating what may seam obvious, yet, there is something in the way he explains it and puts it to you that makes you forget you know this already. So I was not sitting in that chair think "yes, I know". I was thinking something more like: "Yes, I know that but I also know I fail at that". So, I'd say it's unfair to label this book as states the obvious and then the end.
The only problem I can find with the book is it is too short. It's only...err... 52 minuets long. I was having so much fun listening to it I was highly disappointed when it ended. I want more.
The flip side is that there is more. Richard Templar has written the rules of parenting, management, wealth and work. So there is plenty more where that came from.
Well, that's about all I can say about the book. I hope you will consider reading, as it is a wonderful read and even if - like me - you would not consider reading a life coaching book you could still give it a shot; that's reading: you have to try all the genres to find the best books.
Finally, I would like to leave you with my favourite and the funniest quote from the book:
"They [your kids] want to grow up, have sex and use adult swear words."
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