The Seven Powerful Laws of the World

Life is like trying to assemble flat-pack furniture without the instructions—confusing, frustrating, and usually resulting in a few leftover screws.

To make sense of it all, you need more than good intentions; you need the Seven Power Laws to keep you from turning that bookshelf into modern art.

1) Murphy’s Law: The more you fear something, the more it will happen. Letting fear control you is just an excuse to avoid doing what you need to do.

Imagine you’re preparing for a dinner party and you have a brand new white carpet. Naturally, you spend the entire evening worrying that someone will spill red wine on it. And wouldn't you know it, the moment you relax and start enjoying yourself, Uncle Geoffrey, with the grace of a bull in a china shop, manages to tip his glass over. If you’d spent less time fretting and more time serving white wine instead, you’d have avoided the mess altogether. Fear attracts spills, especially the red ones.

2) Kidlin's Law: If you can write a problem down clearly, then the matter is half solved.

Picture this: you’re faced with assembling a flat-pack wardrobe from IKEA. The instructions seem to be written in ancient runes, and you’ve ended up with a piece that looks more like modern art than furniture. Instead of pulling your hair out, you decide to write down the steps clearly. By the time you’ve finished listing everything, you realise you’ve only got three bolts left to fit. See? Halfway there already, and with much less swearing.

3) Gilbert's Law: When tackling a task, prioritize what you do first. It’s like choosing between good and bad apples: Eat the good apples first and discard the bad ones, or the good apples will spoil.

Think of your tasks as a plate of biscuits. If you leave the chocolate Hobnobs for later and start with the plain digestives, by the time you get to the Hobnobs, they’ll have mysteriously vanished (probably into your flatmate's stomach). Always tackle the tastiest treats first, lest someone else decides to do the prioritizing for you.

4) Wilson’s Law: If you prioritize knowledge and intelligence, money will follow. Many people excel not because they are more capable, but because they have more information. In our quest to improve professionally, we often overlook the importance of information.

Imagine you’re a contestant on a British quiz show. Your opponent might look smarter in their tweed jacket and monocle, but if you've done your homework on obscure 18th-century poets and they haven't, you’ll be the one walking away with the cash prize. Knowledge is power, and sometimes, it even comes with a giant cheque and a silly trophy.

5) Falkland’s Law: If you don't have to make a decision about something, then don't decide.

You’re in a café staring at the menu, torn between the Victoria sponge and the lemon drizzle cake. Falkland’s Law would suggest not deciding at all and just ordering a cuppa. Chances are, the decision will be made for you when the waiter says, “Sorry, we’re out of Victoria sponge.” Problem solved without lifting a finger, except to point at the lemon drizzle.

6) Karma Law: Who you are today is a result of your previous actions; everything in your life, including your past, present, and future, are connected.

Remember that time you let your neighbour’s cat in and fed it while they were away? Fast forward to today, and you find yourself locked out of your flat. Who comes to your rescue with a spare key and a smile? Yes, it’s your neighbour, who’s just returned from holiday. Acts of kindness have a way of circling back, often with a purring feline or a saved day.

7) Golden Rule: Don't do to others what you do not want them to do to you.

Picture this: you’re on a packed train and there’s only one seat left. Just as you’re about to take it, you notice an elderly lady eyeing the same spot. Remembering the Golden Rule, you offer her the seat with a smile. Five minutes later, a miracle happens – someone else offers you their seat. Do unto others, and sometimes you get to sit down twice.