The Code

Rules of Conduct Discovered Through Hard Experience

I maintain this page as a public, but personal page. It's not easy to find on my website, but it is linked. By making it public I hope if someone stumbles upon it, they might find some value. However, the document below isn't really intended as a universal code, some things are specific to my pursuits, and experience. We each are on our own path, not everything will apply to every reader.

Life

1. How you do anything is how you do everything.
2. Perfect is the enemy of the good.
3. As soon as you notice a mistake, correct it.
4. Don't work so hard that you lack the energy to clean up.
5. Once you experience a problem, prevent it from ever happening again.
6. Do what the next guy wished you had done.
7. Effects matter and intentions matter.
8. Always be prepared.
9. If you are going onto your roof, wear a rope.

Travel

1. Pack like a nested doll. It is efficient to unpack a smaller pack for day trips, and an even smaller one for a night out.
2. Have a detachable go bag with critical day items and no more: passport, water, battery pack, money, phone, etc.
3. Carry a pen and notepad.
4. Underwear is pretty much all you need to worry about.
5. Linen slacks and a collared shirt look good everywhere.
6. Have a check list for your things and check it every time you leave an area.

Running a Business

1. Don't trust anything to be done to your standards, expect everything to need a revision.
2. Communicate project budgets to all parties.
3. Do it right the first time, regardless of delays, or expense. Done right is better than done fast.
4. Deposit checks the second they arrive.
5. Define a project budget and save receipts. Only reimburse documented expenses.

Caring for the Earth

1. Always have a refillable water bottle with you.
2. Have a burn pile or barrel, burn wood and paper, ideally for heat, compost organic stuff.
3. Reduce first, then reuse, then if it actually helps, recycle.

Organization and Minimalism

1. Keep a supply closet, this is your first stop on the way to the store.
2. Have a single todo list, don't use just any scrap of paper.
3. Get rid of multiples, how many #1 flat head screwdrivers do you need?
4. All your items incur a debt of care, too many will suffocate you.