The Before Rules
The Before Rules: A Powerful, Simple, Three-Word Mental Model For Personal Success
Evidence-Based Strategies And Tactics To Easily, Effortless, Effectively, Efficiently, and Enjoyably Achieve Your Desired Outcomes
Important Things First: In this essay, I share the fundamental, evidence-based tactics of the Before Rules: simple, powerful, and effective three-word phrases that shape and create your identity.
Thoughts Before Things — Summary: New Year's Resolutions and goal-setting simply don't work - here is what to do instead. Imagine a system so simple yet profoundly transcendent that it bridges the gap between desire, action, execution, and achievement in just three minutes a day.
The Before Rules introduces a mind shift: moving beyond just fleeting resolutions or hoped-for goals to embrace commitments as a core part of your identity. Anchored by the 3C3R3M framework — Three Commitments, Three Rules, Three Minutes — and bolstered by two actionable tactics (5E's and AIM), this strategy aligns your actions with your values and aspirations.
It's not just about doing; it's about becoming. By creating systems that are easy, effective, and deeply personal, you're empowered to build a life of consistency, clarity, and mastery — that's the Before Rules.
Dive in to learn how three simple steps can change everything.
Decision Before Choice: The Before Rules define your actions by implementing your decisions before you face moments of choice.
Here Before There: Consider this your roadmap for bridging who you are today and who you want to become.
Start Before Finish — Your road lies ahead. This image was generated with the use of AI. Image courtesy of ©ThoughtImprovement.com
You'll discover how they effortlessly guide your behavior by ranking and examining psychological and behavioral science principles and integrating strategic approaches that support these rules.
Whew… that's a mouthful.
How ‘Bout This? The Before Rules go beyond slogans; they guide you to effortlessly make intelligent decisions. These three-word strategies shape your identity and guide your actions before choices arise.
Shorter Still? The Before Rules automatically make the right decisions.
Ask Yourself — What If? What if you could create simple, effective tactics that propel you to your desired outcome?
Ask Yourself — What If? What if thinking less and doing less could help you achieve more?
Ask Yourself — What If? What if you could free your mind from constant distractions, unfounded fears, and nagging worries?
Hmm... Is This A Cheat Code? No! It's a code — without the cheating part.
What Are The Before Rules?
So, Just What Are The Before Rules? The Before Rules are a simple, powerful, effective system that creates behavioral change. They are specific, highly focused tactics aligned with your strategies to achieve your desired outcomes.
All That In Only Three Words? Each Before Rule consists of three words, such as 'Here Before There.' The Before Rules simplify complex strategies into actionable tactics. Here is how:
First Word - 'Here': Your current state. You start where you are.
Second Word - 'Before': Indicates action must be taken.
Third Word - 'There': Your desired outcome.
Willpower? No. System? Yes: The Before Rules are not about willpower. Willpower requires conscious effort, whereas the Before Rules are about creating an effortless system that guides and benefits you.
A Few Illustrative Before Rule Examples: The Before Rules achieve your desired outcomes automatically. Here are a few Before Rules as examples:
System Before Goal
Deposit Before Withdrawal
Important Before Urgent
Curiosity Before Judgment
Risk Before Reward
A word cloud of some Before Rules. Image courtesy of ©ThoughtImprovement.com
The Foundation Of The Before Rules
What Is The Foundation Of The Before Rules? The Before Rules combine, blend, mesh, and synthesize practical and proven fundamental truths, evidence-based research, time-proven adages, mental models, psychological principles, and commonsense into effective three-word tactics.
You Are The Mental Maestro: Many factors affect the Before Rules. You determine which Before Rules you need to implement to make the changes you want in your life.
Here Are Additional Elements: Below are just a few considerations, and this is not intended to be a complete list, but just a sampling of your options:
Reflective Duality — How Do I Integrate My Present And Future Self? Each Before Rule is purposefully designed and intentionally crafted to first highlight the distinction between your present self and your desired future self.
Each rule is more than just a bridge; it creates a two-way connection and a bond. This perspective prioritizes collective well-being and long-term goals instead of immediate personal gratification or short-term distractions.
Each Before Rule encourages your present and future selves to make mutually beneficial decisions — essentially a reflective duality technique.
The Before Rule — We Before Me
A bridge connecting Here and There. This image was generated with the use of AI. Image courtesy of ©ThoughtImprovement.com
What Is The Difference Between A Strategy (Thinking About Doing It) And A Tactic (Actually Doing It)? A strategy is your overall plan, encompassing the 'what' and 'why' of your goals. On the other hand, a tactic refers to the specific actions or the 'how' of achieving those goals. Both elements are essential for success.
For instance, if your strategy is to get fit (which includes your 'what' and 'why'), your tactics might consist of going to the gym three times a week, meal prepping, and cutting out sugary snacks (referring to the 'how').
Researchers including Ayelet Fishbach, Ph.D., a professor at the University of Chicago, emphasize that making good choices under pressure can be challenging. However, by developing specific tactics, we can better prepare ourselves to navigate those situations.
The Before Rule — Strategy Before Tactic
What Is The Difference Between A Law (External Control) And A Rule (Internal Guide)? Laws are created externally by others to control us and are fixed and constant (Speed Limit: 60 MPH). You develop rules to guide yourself before a temptation or a challenge to your desired outcome occurs.
The Before Rule — Decision Before Choice
Integrating WOOP (Wish, Obstacle, Opportunity, Plan): WOOP, developed by psychologist Gabriele Oettingen, stands for Wish, Obstacle, Opportunity, and Plan. This strategy helps you achieve your goals by identifying a meaningful wish, recognizing internal obstacles, spotting opportunities to overcome them, and creating a concrete plan.
By integrating WOOP with the Before Rules, each three-word strategy guides your actions and proactively addresses challenges, enhancing your motivation and success.
The Before Rule — Obstacle Before Opportunity
Growth Mindset: Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, Ph.D., teaches that a Growth Mindset allows individuals to develop their abilities through dedication, hard work, and consistency. This approach emphasizes continuous improvement and resilience.
By fostering a growth mindset (versus a fixed mindset), the Before Rules encourage you to embrace challenges, persist through setbacks, and consistently strive for personal and professional development.
The Before Rule — Repetition Before Mastery
Beyond White Lines: Imagine driving on a highway marked with white lines. While these lines are simply painted, they serve a purpose that goes beyond their appearance. They provide essential guidance that keeps us safe without requiring constant conscious thought. In the same way, the Before Rules operate as your own "white lines." These rules consist of structured routines and systems that you create to align your actions with your desired outcomes.
The Before Rule — Structure Before Outcome
Contingency Planning: I listened to a podcast featuring Alia Crum, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Psychology at Stanford, where she discussed the concept of mindset optimization and contingency planning. Dr. Crum provided an illustrative example using hurricanes. She explained that while NOAA forecasts predict the number of hurricanes each year, the exact timing and location of these storms and whether a hurricane will occur at all remains uncertain. Despite this unpredictability, there is an expectation that hurricanes may happen. This mindset emphasizes the importance of being prepared and proactive in planning to minimize disruptions and enhance resilience.
The Before Rule — Expected Before Unexpected
Easy Victory — One Small Step For Man: James Clear's book Atomic Habits and Stanford professor BJ Fogg, Ph.D.'s book Tiny Habits builds on the principle that creating lasting habits begins with making meaningful, achievable changes.
By implementing small adjustments to our routines and celebrating minor victories, we can generate momentum. Whether it's linking new habits to existing routines or simplifying behaviors to make them more manageable, these strategies demonstrate how small steps can lead to significant improvements in our lives.
The Before Rule — Crawl Before Walk
Important Before Urgent: An example of an Eisenhower Matrix. Image courtesy of ©ThoughtImprovement.com
Important Things First — Prioritization Of Events: There are many examples of this, but I will refer to the Eisenhower Matrix. By concentrating on what is important instead of what is merely urgent, you can ensure that both your immediate and long-term actions align with your commitments. Evaluate tasks based on their importance before responding to their urgency. This proactive approach allows you to prioritize effectively, focusing on what truly matters and preventing urgent but less important tasks from derailing your progress.
The Before Rule — Important Before Urgent
OK, OK. I Understand The Before Rules. Now What? You use the Before Rules tactics to accomplish your desired outcomes.
How? Here's Is How — Implement The 3 Commitments, 3 Rules, 3 Minutes System
What Are The Elements Of The 3 Commitments, 3 Rules, 3 Minutes (3C3R3M) System? — It's As Simple As 1, 2, 3: Here are the 3C3R3M steps.
Select three commitments you want to achieve.
Review our comprehensive list of The Before Rules and identify which three of the Before Rules you will apply to each commitment.
Set aside just three minutes every day for each commitment. That is less than 10 minutes of total investment into you and your future.
"You can do anything, but not everything." – David Allen
Learn More:
How To Implement The 3 Commitments, 3 Rules, 3 Minutes System
The Before Rules Part One: Tipping Points (Transactional) and Fulcrums (Transformative)
Your Thoughts May Vary
Thought Improvement welcomes your constructive comments and invites you to share your perspectives and experiences. Together, we can all refine our understanding and application of these concepts.
Click here for our Disclaimers, Disclosures, Disavowals, And Declarations (aka - I told you so).