Beyond Order: 12 More Rules For Life
In a world that often swings between extremes of chaos and order, finding balance is crucial for navigating life’s complexities. In his follow-up to 12 Rules for Life, Jordan Peterson offers additional guidance in Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life. While his first book focused on creating order from chaos, Beyond Order explores how to embrace chaos and avoid rigidity in times of turbulence and uncertainty. This blog post delves into the essence of these 12 new rules, offering a detailed exploration of the insights Peterson shares.
Understanding the Balance Between Order and Chaos
Order and Chaos: Two Sides of the Same Coin
In Peterson’s framework, order represents the familiar, the structured, and the predictable aspects of life, where everything makes sense, and we feel in control. Chaos, on the other hand, is the unknown, the unpredictable, and the disruptive. It’s where life throws curveballs that challenge our understanding and control. Neither is inherently good or bad; they simply are, and our task is to navigate the space between them.
While 12 Rules for Life focused on managing chaos by creating order, Beyond Order encourages us to embrace the chaos that inevitably enters our lives. Peterson, drawing from personal experiences—such as his family’s severe health issues and the global upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic—illustrates how stepping into chaos, rather than rigidly clinging to order, can lead to growth, renewal, and deeper meaning.
The 12 Additional Rules for Life
In Beyond Order, Peterson introduces 12 new rules to help us navigate the chaotic aspects of life. These rules are designed to help us find a balance between maintaining order and embracing the chaos that can lead to personal growth and transformation.
Rule 1: Balance Social Convention and Creative Change
“Do not carelessly denigrate social institutions or creative achievement.”
Our psychological well-being depends on two key elements: our internal mental health and the external social structures that shape our lives. Peterson highlights the importance of social institutions—education, employment, relationships—and their role in providing structure and meaning. At the same time, he emphasizes the need for creative change and innovation to prevent stagnation.
To thrive, we must respect the rules and norms that provide stability while also having the courage to challenge and transform them when necessary. It’s about striking a balance between conservatism and creativity, between following the rules and knowing when to break them for the greater good.
Rule 2: Keep Moving Toward Your Ideal Self
“Imagine who you could be, and then aim single-mindedly at that.”
We are constantly evolving beings with untapped potential. To become our best selves, we must first envision who we could be and then pursue that ideal with determination. This rule emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and personal growth. By identifying our highest potential and working tirelessly towards it, we continuously shape and refine our character.
Rule 3: Don’t Avoid the Small Issues
“Do not hide unwanted things in the fog.”
Small problems, if left unaddressed, can accumulate and lead to significant disruptions in our lives. This rule advises us to confront minor irritations and issues head-on before they grow into more substantial challenges. By dealing with the small things, we prevent them from becoming obstacles that hinder our progress.
Rule 4: Opportunities Lie Where Responsibility Has Been Abdicated
“Notice that opportunity lurks where responsibility has been abdicated.”
The most meaningful and fulfilling experiences often come from taking on responsibilities that others have neglected. This rule encourages us to seek out areas where we can make a difference by stepping up and taking responsibility. Whether it’s in our personal lives or our careers, seizing these opportunities leads to growth and satisfaction.
Rule 5: Don’t Betray Your Values and Conscience
“Do not do what you hate.”
Living in alignment with our values and conscience is crucial for self-respect and integrity. This rule advises us to avoid actions that conflict with our deeply held beliefs, as doing so can lead to self-loathing and regret. By staying true to ourselves, we build a life that we can be proud of.
Rule 6: Cast Ideologies Aside
“Abandon ideology.”
Ideologies oversimplify complex issues and can blind us to the full range of human experience. This rule warns against the dangers of rigid belief systems that reduce problems to a single cause. Instead, Peterson encourages us to think critically, take personal responsibility, and approach life’s challenges with an open mind.
Rule 7: To Develop Yourself, Commit to Something Fully
“Work as hard as you possibly can on at least one thing and see what happens.”
Commitment to a goal—whether it’s a career, a relationship, or a personal project—leads to growth and self-improvement. This rule emphasizes the value of dedicating oneself fully to at least one endeavor, as this commitment builds discipline, resilience, and expertise. The process of mastering one thing often leads to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world.
Rule 8: Create Something Beautiful
“Try to make one room in your home as beautiful as possible.”
In a world that can often seem bleak and overwhelming, creating beauty can be a powerful act of resistance and renewal. This rule encourages us to start small—by making one room in our home beautiful—and then extend that sense of beauty and order to other areas of our lives. Through this process, we reconnect with our sense of wonder and appreciation for life.
Rule 9: Clear Up Unresolved Issues From the Past
“If old memories still upset you, write them down carefully and completely.”
Unresolved issues from the past can distort our perception of the present and hinder our progress. This rule advises us to confront and process past traumas or regrets by writing them down in detail. By doing so, we gain clarity, come to terms with our experiences, and free ourselves from the lingering effects of these memories.
Rule 10: Sustain Romance with Planning and Effort
“Plan and work diligently to maintain the romance in your relationship.”
Romantic relationships require ongoing effort and planning to thrive. This rule emphasizes the importance of intentionality in maintaining love and connection over time. By actively working to sustain romance, couples can grow together and deepen their bond.
Rule 11: Don’t Succumb to Resentment, Deceit, or Arrogance
“Do not allow yourself to become resentful, deceitful, or arrogant.”
Everyone has a dark side, and it’s easy to fall into negative patterns of behavior when life becomes difficult. This rule cautions against allowing resentment, deceit, or arrogance to take root in our lives. By recognizing and mastering these negative tendencies, we can prevent them from leading us down a destructive path.
Rule 12: Stay Grateful In Spite of Your Suffering
“Be grateful in spite of your suffering.”
Suffering is an inevitable part of life, but we have the capacity to rise above it. This rule encourages us to find gratitude even in the midst of hardship. By focusing on what we still have and what we can still achieve, we maintain hope and resilience in the face of adversity.
Getting the Most Out of Beyond Order
Beyond Order is not just a guide for surviving chaos—it’s a roadmap for thriving in it. Peterson draws on a wide range of sources, including his clinical experience, personal life, mythology, religious texts, and philosophical works, to provide a nuanced understanding of how to balance order and chaos in our lives.
For those interested in a deeper dive, exploring the full range of stories, analyses, and insights in Beyond Order will be invaluable. You can find a comprehensive summary bundle that includes an infographic, a detailed 15-page summary, and a 28-minute audio summary to supplement your reading.
About the Author: Jordan Peterson
Jordan Peterson is a Canadian clinical psychologist and a professor of psychology at the University of Toronto. He holds degrees in political science and psychology from the University of Alberta and earned his Ph.D. in clinical psychology from McGill University. Peterson has held academic positions at both McGill and Harvard University before his current role at the University of Toronto. Known for his critical views on political correctness and his deep exploration of cultural and psychological topics, Peterson has become a prominent public intellectual.
Conclusion
Beyond Order offers 12 more rules that challenge us to embrace the uncertainties of life with courage and wisdom. By balancing the need for order with the inevitability of chaos, Peterson’s guidelines help us navigate the complexities of modern existence. These rules encourage us to grow, adapt, and find meaning even in the most turbulent times.
Read the 12 Rules For Life: An Antidote To Chaos
The Book in Just 20 Words
Beyond Order teaches us to balance life’s chaos and order, fostering growth, resilience, and meaning amidst uncertainty.
Beyond Order Quotes
- “We all need to think to keep things straight, but we mostly think by talking.”
- “Every rule was once a creative act, breaking other rules. Every creative act…is likely to transform itself, with time, into a useful rule.”
- “It is better to presume ignorance and invite learning than to assume sufficient knowledge and risk the consequent blindness.”
- “You are not only something that is. You are something that is becoming.”
- “Life is what repeats, and it is worth getting what repeats right.”
- “You cannot hit a target that you refuse to see. You cannot hit a target if you do not take aim.”
- “If you truly sought, perhaps you would find what you seek.”
- “Your life becomes meaningful in precise proportion to the depths of the responsibility you are willing to shoulder.”
- “The ultimate question of Man is not who we are, but who we could be.”