Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I would like to thank Anna Biller for her

assistance on so many aspects of this book—including her deft

editing, the endless insightful ideas she supplied me during our

discussions, and all the love and support during the writing.

Meditate on Our Common Mortality

The Law of Death Denial

Most of us spend our lives avoiding the thought of death. Instead,

the inevitability of death should be continually on our minds.

Understanding the shortness of life fills us with a sense of purpose

and urgency to realize our goals.

Seize the Historical Moment

The Law of Generational Myopia

You are born into a generation that defines who you are more than

you can imagine.

See the Hostility Behind the Friendly Facade

The Law of Aggression

On the surface, the people around you appear so polite and

civilized. But beneath the mask, they are all inevitably dealing

with frustrations

Make Them Want to Follow You

The Law of Fickleness

Although styles of leadership change with the times, one constant

remains: people are always ambivalent about those in power.

Resist the Downward Pull of the Group

The Law of Conformity

We have a side to our character that we are generally unaware of—our social personality, the dif erent person we become when

we operate in groups of people.

Advance with a Sense of Purpose

The Law of Aimlessness

Unlike animals, with their instincts to guide them past dangers, we

humans have to rely upon our conscious decisions

Reconnect to the Masculine or Feminine Within You

The Law of Gender Rigidity

All of us have masculine and feminine qualities—some of this is

genetic, and some of it comes from the profound influence of the

parent of the opposite sex

Know Your Limits

The Law of Grandiosity

We humans have a deep need to think highly of ourselves. If that

opinion of our goodness, greatness, and brilliance diverges

enough from reality, we become grandiose.

Beware the Fragile Ego

The Law of Envy

We humans are naturally compelled to compare ourselves with

one another.