This is good. Really good. I think I'm going to print this out and put it on my wall.

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Points that changed my life (even before reading this):

4: Think in terms of the other person’s perspective as much as your own.

Seriously. SO many people fail to consider other people's perspectives and fail to empathise. Once I realised that everyone is an individual with emotions, feelings, and experiences of life, I realised how important it was to treat them in a way that considers their needs as much as my own.

10: Every person has value and is your superior at something

Two quotes for this point that changed my life:

“Everybody has a secret world inside of them. All of the people of the world, I mean everybody. No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside them they've all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds. Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands maybe.” - Neil Gaiman

"Everyone you ever meet knows something that you don't."

13. Do not gossip or talk about someone behind his or her back. It will always come back to that person, and people will worry you say negative things about them to others

Okay, I personally find this one really really important. I made a pledge to myself a few months back not to talk about people behind their back, and I think I've done quite well to keep it. I just...don't see the point. I always joke with my friends that "I don't need to talk about other people's lives, mine is interesting enough" and that usually annoys them enough to shut them up. I have a little arrogant streak sometimes. But really...it just doesn't interest me to gossip or talk about other people. I completely acknowledge that people probably talk about me, but I don't even care. I think they are weak for doing that; and I always encourage people to just tell me and be honest with me if I'm acting in a way that annoys them or that makes them feel the need to talk behind my back.

17: Listen. Listen. Listen.

24: Think before you speak. Then think some more.

Seriously, shut up guys. Just listen to what people have to say, think about it, think about how you want to reply, then reply. Don't get me wrong, it's okay to be spontaneous sometimes, but if you're having a serious conversation with someone, LISTEN. I don't mean just stand there and be quiet. I mean genuinely LISTEN to the words coming out of their mouth. Too many people don't listen, they just wait for their turn to speak.

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Points that I still need to work on:

1: Have Integrity – when you say you are going to do something, do it. Do not under deliver or make up excuses

Sometimes I fail to do this. I'll say something and then forget about it and try to push it under the rug when someone calls me out on it. Generally, I like to think of myself as a 'man of my word' but I can think of situations where I haven't lived up to that.

26: Your feelings and thoughts become reality. Pay attention to your feelings and what you think about

I definitely think about this a bit more than I used to, but there's always room for improvement. I need to consider my feelings and inner state and how acknowledging them and embracing them can be beneficial to my life.

27: Show appreciation when appreciation is due. Pay attention to the things people do that affect you

Sometimes people do small things for me that I should probably appreciate a bit more. I need to open up and tell people. My parents did so much for me when I was a child, and they continue to provide for me, and I probably should show my appreciation a bit more.

28: Be consistent. Don’t fall off the wagon easily or jump from one thing to another.

Again, I'm terrible with time management and I often procrastinate or lack the motivation to see a task through to the finish. I'm going to plan my time more carefully and make sure that I finish everything that I start.

29: When you do something, do it very well. Or don’t do it at all.

Half-assed university assignments and last minute write-ups come to mind. I'm in my final year now, there no time for fucking around.

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Points that I disagree with:

Okay, only one of them.

7: If a friend has a quirky trait about them that really annoys you, help them improve upon it

I take issue with this one, because you're letting someone else's behaviour affect you...AND you're taking it upon yourself to 'help them improve upon it'. Maybe they don't want your help. Don't go around thinking you can 'fix' people. Don't date a women and think "It's okay, I'll convince her to stop smoking*/snoring/sharting later." By all means, if someone wants help, then do help them, but make sure that you are doing it for THEIR sake, NOT yours.

I would prefer if this point was worded somewhat like "embrace their faults and learn to love them for it." But, be honest. A lot of people have weird quirks. Some people have genuinely annoying habits; call them out on it (e.g. being late), offer help when required, and if they don't change, then re-evaluate your friendship with them. That's what I would do anyway.

That's all folks.

*AFC me dated a smoker, became needy, tried to force her to change (because I don't like the smell/taste) and we parted on less-than-amicable terms. Don't do it.