The Power Of Rules - Petty, Petty, Petty Rules

In 2004 a group of seven spoilt and often aggressive British teenagers were sent to a working ranch in Utah called "Turn-About Ranch" to undergo a regime of strict discipline and hard work.

The vast majority of successful Brat Camps are in Utah, a state which takes morality seriously and has strict laws to enforce good behaviour.

The parents of the teenagers were miserable and frightened by the behaviour of their offspring but hoped that their stay in Utah would turn their lives around.

The kids were faced with strict rules like:

? Do not speak until you are spoken to

? Do not lie down during the day time. You may only sit or stand. You must stay awake all day long.

? Do not smoke or drink

? Do not wear jewellery and have only one colour for your hair

? Do not swear or have sex.

? Do not answer back

The ranch is run by cowboys who believe that the best form of therapy is hard work.

One of the cowboys said: "I am no psychologist or Phd. I don't hold a degree in nothing but cowboy. That's it."

They teach the kids the ways of the Wild West and believe that a strict regime of chores, tough rules and harsh punishments can turn bad kids into good kids.

Following the rules starts as the 7 brats arrive at the airport in the strict state of Utah. The kids are told to stay together or they will be handcuffed together.

One of the welcome committee tells them not to laugh at the order to stay together:

"I will give you respect if you give it to me. I can be your best friend or your worst enemy. If you can obey orders you will be fine."

After a week or so, Josh, one of the magnificent seven, comments:

"Some of the most petty, petty, petty rules I've heard of. It really is quite tedious."

They are told to just follow the rules and not question them.

Discipline begins with following the rules of others even if they seem petty but it continues with creating and following one's own rules.

It is no accident that the Brat Camps stress following rules. Rules seem petty and inconvenient and designed to get up your nose but they can be the secret to a happy and joyful life.

Without rules about speed limits, accidents are more likely. Without rules, most games would become meaningless.

Without rules, we are at the mercy of whatever feeling or whim we happen to have. Without rules, life as we know it would not exist. We would be back in the jungle where the only rule is survival.

Even our own rules seem petty when we don't feel like following them. However, our own rules can turn us into powerful people who are capable of controlling our lives.

If we can follow our own rule of going for at least one walk a day even when we don't feel like it, we will be fitter and healthier. If we can follow our own rule of not having sugar with our tea or coffee we will be slimmer and more energetic and so on.

The rules will seem petty but following them with only rare exceptions will mean fast progress and achievement in all parts of our lives.

Like the brats, we need to accept the petty, petty, petty, rules that can transform our lives.

Resource box

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep the resource box as it is.

---

Wealth Building: Let The Wealth Building Secrets Of J. Paul Getty Inspire You To Great Achievement

One of the shortcuts to creating wealth is to learn... Read More

What Makes You Special?

Many people are too busy today trying to fit themselves... Read More

This Emotion Is As Helpful As Ali-Baba And His Forty Thieves!

Are you afraid of your own best ideas? Do you... Read More

How to Change Your Negative Reality

It is often taken for granted that the reality tomorrow... Read More

If Not Now, When?

How many times have you made excuses for putting off... Read More

Change Your Life For The Better!

Are you still hoping and waiting for someone somewhere to... Read More

For Those Who Have Suffered!

As one who has suffered from the long, term effects... Read More

Two Ways to Feel Fear

In a memorable Depression-era radio speech on the radio, President... Read More

Wisdom Comes to the Inquisitive Mind

Throughout my life I have observed many things and I... Read More

5 Keys to Maintaining Personal Change

I look out my window at daybreak as the sunrise... Read More

Commit To Applying Lessons Learned

When growing up as a child, the concept of learning... Read More

Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Recently a person attended one of my goal setting seminars... Read More

Desire + Action = Outcome ? Anxiety & Panic

This is my mathematical strategy I use to achieve everything... Read More

Unleash Your Unlimited Power

Your Non-Conscious Mind is 98% of your full power. Your... Read More

Finding Your Authentic Path

"Deep in their roots, all flowers keep the light." ~... Read More

Ignite Your Life!

Where have you come from this past year? What have... Read More

Understanding What Motivates People to Take Action

So I wanted to buy a car. It was a... Read More

7 Tips For Unstoppable Motivation And Enduring Success

Procrastination is of no use to you in your quest... Read More

Nothing To Lose

I stormed out of the office and headed for the... Read More

Money Doesnt Finance Dreams

Are you putting off your dreams until you have money?... Read More

Five Ways to Stand Out from the Crowd

Some people are content to just to be another face... Read More

How to Make the Most of Being Let Go

Being let go; suffering redundancy; experiencing downsizing are all very... Read More

Storytelling - The Great Motivator of People

In a data-driven world, facts and figures are the order... Read More

Hurry Up And Procrastinate

I've been meaning to write this column, but I keep... Read More

Commit to Doing 80%

Instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to... Read More

Five Great Ideas From Aristotle

It was Socrates who said that the purpose of philosophy... Read More

Playing With Mindfulness: Sneaking In The Back Door

I often meet people who say things like, "I've been... Read More

Face Your Fears

Yes, that's me up there! Interestingly enough, I used to... Read More

Stained Glass Windows

Elizabeth Kubler Ross once said, "People are like stained glass... Read More

Sow the Seed - See the Harvest

The story is told of two boys who were walking... Read More

17 More Things Ive Noticed Along the Way So Far

Three areas of life in which we get very little... Read More

Just Do It!

If you run a business like I do, you probably... Read More

Motivation - The 4 Most Potent Ways To Awaken Your Enthusiasm

...it is in this whole process of meeting and solving... Read More