If there’s anybody out there that has been reading these golden rules, I apologize for the little break in transmission. I had just finished typing up Golden Rule #19 and when I hit post, the internet connection chose that moment to act up and my post vanished into the wilderness of cyberspace. I now need to psyche myself up to type it over.

Leaders lead, followers scramble.

You should always aim to set the pace rather than follow behind someone else. In business this means be proactive and innovate rather than procrastinate and mimic someone else’s work. This really equates to being the best, or at least striving to be the best. If you are the best then you have set the standard for others to follow.

On a personal level, this rule can still be put to use as you should aim to set your own direction and be the best that you can. You will similarly be setting a path for others to follow with you as an example. Don’t settle for following in the footsteps on another. Find your way for yourself and lead your life.

Those who plan and act for the future don’t get walked all over when it finally comes.

There are those people who believe that destiny is what will determine their future. These people honestly believe that life will unfold and you will get what you are to get when the time comes.

There are other people who believe in actively participating in the direction that their life takes. These people prefer to have a say in their life’s path and will involve themselves in planning and moving towards the future.

If you have read enough of this blog, you should know which way I lean (though I have not perfected the whole goal-setting and following through just yet). But the quick summary, life is made up of choices which determine the way our life goes. Even not choosing is a choice that will have an impact on our future so choose wisely.

You can’t be all things to all people.

If you think about it, there is no product in the world that meets the needs of all people exactly as it is. That’s one reason a lot of companies will provide a base model and then allow for custom options. The other thing we see in the business world is companies accepting that not all people will be their customers. Trying to go after all people leads to a company without focus and a series of confusing messages.

This philosophy applies generally in the world of business where it is often said that people want things quick cheap and good, but they can only get two of the three at any one time. If you apply this to human relations we quickly see the root of stress for many people as they try to be all the things that other people want of them, all at the same time.

You need to decide who you want to be, what you want to do and then fit the people around you into that because trying to be all these things to please other people will only burn you out and then at the end of it there will still be somebody who feels sleighted. So focus on being a few things to a few important people and see how much happier you are.

Change is the gateway to innovation.

Change begets change. A series of changes will require new infrastructure, new products, new services, new ways of thinking. This is true in society, in business and in personal relationships. Small changes may have a small impact or a large one. Large changes typically require significant change to support them.

In all things, we must be aware of changes around us, but not just observe them - encourage change as that is the path to improvement, and then look for opportunities in that change.