10 Commandments I Never Found in Business Books

Hey there,

It's Yoela, finally back home in California after what feels like a lifetime of planes, trains, and different time zones. Greece, Portugal, New York, Zurich, and then Tokyo – it's been a whirlwind month and a half that left me with jet lag and some surprising clarity.

You know those moments when everything just clicks? When the chaos of constant movement and adaptation suddenly crystallizes into clear patterns? That happened to me this week, somewhere between my third espresso and unpacking my last suitcase.

Quick detour to introduce you to Connie, my right-hand woman in this journey. She’s been the one pushing me to prioritize this content adventure and has been instrumental in building this community, turning my late-night thoughts into the newsletters you’re reading now. Recently, Connie found herself stuck, wrestling with a new business idea and spiraling into comparison mode, measuring her progress against everyone else in her field. It was a classic overthinking loop.

After a couple of hours of back and forth (and probably too much B12—we’re both supplement nerds that overdo it sometimes), we reached a conclusion. It wasn’t her idea that was the issue; it was her measure of success. She’d been relying on everyone else’s yardstick rather than carving out her own. That conversation sparked something much larger, making me reflect on all the unwritten rules I’ve collected over the years. Those small but powerful reminders that keep me grounded and guide me out of similar traps.

That's what I want to share with you today – not the kind of rules you'll find in business books, but the real, lived in wisdoms that have kept me sane, growing and enabling my own sense of fulfillment.

Introducing my 10 commandments for surviving and thriving on this wild journey we call life:

1. Measure yourself only against who you were yesterday Don’t compare your Chapter 1 to someone else's Chapter 20. The only meaningful comparison is with your past self. Period.

2. Forgive, but remember what you learned Those painful mistakes that keep you up at night? They're not failures, they're tuition paid for future success. The trick isn't forgetting – it's transforming the pain into power.

3. Stand up for yourself and those who need it Watching someone get talked over in meetings? Seeing talent being overlooked? Speaking up isn't just about being nice – it's about creating the environment where real innovation happens.

4. Choose kindness, no matter what When deals fall through. When partnerships are forced to end. When others play dirty. When the easy move is to hit back. Kindness isn't weakness – it's strategic strength. The high road has less traffic for a reason.

5. Ask for clarity when you need it. Fun fact: I spent two weeks heading in the wrong direction on a project because I was too proud to admit I didn't fully understand the key problem areas. Never again.

6. Let spontaneity have a say now and then. Some of the best revelations come from random 11pm talks and unexpected experiences. Not everything needs a project plan or to be scheduled into a routine.

7. Release resentment; it only holds you back. That friend who disappeared when times got tough? The person who you thought you had a chance with? Still think about it sometimes. But holding onto old relationships and past disappointments is like carrying rocks while trying to climb. Drop them. Move lighter.

8. Know what drives you, and pursue it wholeheartedly. Took me years to realize I'm not actually driven by exits, valuations or status. I'm driven by solving really hard problems and actioning things more effectively than most. Game changer.

9. Invest in what touches your skin daily —clothes, skincare, comfort Spent years thinking designer clothes and fancy serums were for "other people." Now I get it. What touches your skin shapes how you feel. Good quality clothes aren't vanity, they're armor. Quality skincare isn't luxury, it's maintenance. A comfortable, well decorated, cozy home? A true sense of accomplishment. Investing in yourself changes everything.

10. Live by your own intentions, not by the limitations of others. If I had a dollar for every time someone said, “That’s not how it’s done here,” I’d probably still ignore them. Living with intention means breaking the rules they’re so busy following and let’s be honest, the view’s better on your own path anyway.

Here's the thing about having your own set of life commandments: they're not about limiting yourself, they’re about liberation. Liberation from the constant noise, from falling into the comparison trap, from the endless stream of "should-haves" and "could-haves." These personal commandments serve as a foundation, a guiding framework that clears the clutter and allows you to focus on what truly matters. They're there to ground you, to remind you of your own path, and to keep you aligned with your values and goals, no matter what distractions come your way.

Reflecting on my journey from college dropout to where I am now, I realize these aren’t merely rules, they’re the survival guide I needed but didn’t have. They’ve been the compass that’s kept me steady, transforming what could have been burnout into the foundation for something enduring and meaningful.

And here’s the irony: the more I commit to these principles, the more everything around me grows: our numbers, my own sense of fulfillment, even the quality of my relationships. It’s not because these principles are designed to drive growth directly, but because they clear the clutter, creating room for genuine innovation and meaningful progress. They allow me to focus on what truly matters, setting the stage for growth that feels both intentional and sustainable. In sticking to them, I’m not just building a business, I’m building a life that aligns with my values.

So, what are your commandments? What rules have you written for yourself that keep you moving forward?

Until next time,

Yoela

P.S. If you're struggling to define your own commandments, hit reply. Let's figure it out together.