Principles
Principles are ways of successfully dealing with reality to get what you want out of life.
Have principles
It's madness to treat every situation as if it's brand-new. Principles are a way of simplifying the world, to make better decisions and get what you want.
Record your principles
Write down how you approach situations. Use these to create your own principles.
Refine your principles
Check if your principles match reality, or can be refined.
Operate within your principles
Check if your principles match the situation you are faced with, use them to guide your decisions.
Know what your goals are
Have goals, and let your principles complement your goals.
Principles + goals
Your principles are a mechanism for decision making that will help you achieve your goals.