The Seven Principles

Authenticity is the foundational principle of an uncommon life, because really there is nothing more uncommon than you.

Authenticity is essential because it helps you find a lifestyle and vocation that is fulfilling, meaningful, and sustaining to you.  You cannot take another step forward into your uncommon future if you don’t have a strong sense of who you are, what your unique gifts and opinions are, and the fact that you are a worthwhile and distinctive being.  There has never been and will never be another person on this earth with your exact constellation of personality traits, experiences, and dreams. So it is your responsibility to embrace being yourself, being authentic for just that reason.

The Second Principle: The Personal Code

But the Uncommon life is an examined life, and after we have established a sense of our authentic selves it is time to define exactly what is important to us…After all, if you don’t know who you are, how can you know where you really want to go?

The Personal Code is distinct for everyone.  It is a set of 7 core values that sums up what is important to you as an authentic individual in life and work.  The Personal Code is a combination of abstract and defined concepts: the 7 values should be easily recalled and hold clear meaning, however each value is meant to merely be a nebulous summary of a greater, more complex believe…Each core value is a snapshot – one to two words – that describes a larger concept.

The Third Principle: Desire

Desire is an essential principle of living an uncommon life, because nothing – and I do mean nothing – great would ever happen if it weren’t for the initial desire to make it so.

Without desire, there is only inaction, acceptance of fate, and disinterested waiting to be moved by greater powers.  Without desire, we are little better than minks in a cage, unprotestingly waiting for the day we are turned into coats. Yet with desire, we become something great, something able to change our fate, direct our course, and imprint the stamp of our wants, needs, and beliefs onto the world around us.  With desire we become the clever animals rattling the cage and, when no one is looking, slips silently out to freedom.

The Fourth Principle: Perspective

The Fourth Principle is called Perspective.  Perspective is really two concepts rolled together: awareness of your current place in the world, and a vision for the future.  Let’s examine each of these ideas individually. Because in order to move ahead on your journey, you need to know not only where you want to go, but where you are now.

To maximize our positive impact and appreciate our true power, we must keep this awareness, this perspective, of our big-picture contribution. When you have the sense of something bigger, you can better appreciate what is really important, what deserves your attention, and how you want to spend your time.  Vision is more than just “Someday, I want to…” it is being able to imagine yourself in that someday clearly – be able to feel things in that future, see them, smell them, and taste them.  It is exactly like picturing yourself in that vacation destination postcard, the only difference is you need to create the image.

The Fifth Principle: The Law of Capability

The Law of Capability is defined by a very simple concept: you are only as capable as you think you are.

If you think you can’t leave that job, or find happiness in work, or live by design, or have it all, or make your own schedule, or learn Chinese, or whatever it is you want to do in life, they you can’t. Conversely – and magically – if you think you can do these things, then you can. It is that simple, and that hard.

The Sixth Principle: Gratitude

Gratitude is about feeling appreciation for all the things in your life that have that you don’t have a right to – and really that means just about everything.

When you really show gratitude, you are sending this intense, powerful signal out to the world – you are saying that you appreciate what has been given to you, your ability to enjoy or utilize it, and and appreciation for the messenger.   And in return, the universe sends you more things to be thankful for.  You are sending out a wavelength of gratitude, and you will receive more things to continue on that wavelength.

The Seventh Principle: Respect

There is a veritable pandemic of disrespect across the globe today, which is why incorporating it into your life is truly uncommon.

the seventh and crowning principle of an Uncommon Life was respect because of the myriad meanings this word has.  Respect for yourself, respect for others, respect for the journey, and respect for your life are all key attitudes that are truly central to an Uncommon existence yet in many ways include aspects of the other principles.