Peter's Laws

Peter Diamandis is one of the most dynamic people I know.

He (and two other MIT graduate students) created the International Space University 20 years ago and it is now a thriving enterprise.

He and Ray Kurweil created Singularity University and the first summer session is nearing completion now.

He created and obtained funding for The X Prize in its various evolving forms in order to encourage humanity to move into space faster and better than lumbering space bureaucracies are doing.

It is a fantastic person.

I just received from him what he calls "Peter's Laws". I pass them on to you.

I do not necessarily agree with all of them. But that might explain why Peter has done what he has done and I have not!

Years ago I became angry at Murphy's Law ("If anything can go wrong, it will") and decided to write my own Law… ("If anything can go wrong, fix it… To hell with Murphy!").  One law quickly became 12, then 20, and now 30.  Below and attached is my last iteration of Peter's Laws (Top 30).  Most are original, some are adaptations.  Enjoy!

Warmest,

Peter

Peter's Laws ™

The Creed of the persistent and passionate mind

1.     If anything can go wrong, Fix It!!... To hell with Murphy!

2.     When given a choice… Take Both!!

3.     Multiple projects lead to multiple successes.

4.     Start at the top then work your way up.

5.     Do it by the book... but be the author!

6.     When forced to compromise, ask for more.

7.     If it's worth doing, it's got to be done right now.

8.     If you can't win, change the rules.

9.     If you can't change the rules, then ignore them.

10.         Perfection is not optional.

11.         When faced without a challenge, make one.

12.         "No" simply means begin again at one level higher

13.         Don't walk when you can run.

14.         Bureaucracy is a challenge to be conquered with a righteous attitude, a tolerance for stupidity, and a bulldozer when necessary.

15.         When in doubt: THINK!

16.         Patience is a virtue, but persistence to the point of success is a blessing.

17.         The squeaky wheel gets replaced.

18.         The faster you move, the slower time passes, the longer you live.

19.         The best way to predict the future is to create it yourself!

20.         The ratio of something to nothing is infinite.

21.         You get what you incentivize.

22.         If you think it is impossible, then it is… for you.

23.         An expert is someone who can tell you exactly how it can't be done.

24.         The day before something is a breakthrough it's a crazy idea.

25.         If it were easy it would have been done already.

26.         Without a target you'll miss it every time.

27.         Bullshit walks, hardware talks.

28.         A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.

29.         The world's most precious resource is the passionate and committed human mind.

30.         If you can't measure it, you can't improve it.

Copyright, 1986, 2009, Peter H. Diamandis, All Rights Reserved.  Laws # 14 & #18 by Todd B. Hawley.  Contact info:  peter@xprize.org