Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life by Jordan B. Peterson.

Classic Books

The companion volume to 12 Rules for Life offers further guidance on the perilous path of modern life.

In 12 Rules for Life, clinical psychologist and celebrated professor at Harvard and the University of Toronto Dr. Jordan B. Peterson helped millions impose order on the chaos of their lives. Now, in this bold sequel, Peterson delivers 12 more lifesaving principles for resisting the exhausting toll that our desire to order the world inevitably takes.

In a time when the human will increasingly imposes itself over every sphere of life – from our social structures to our emotional states – Peterson warns that too much security is dangerous. What’s more, he offers strategies for overcoming the cultural, scientific, and psychological forces causing us to tend toward tyranny, and teaches us how to rely instead on our instinct to find meaning and purpose, even – and especially – when we find ourselves powerless.

While chaos, in excess, threatens us with instability and anxiety, unchecked order can petrify us into submission. Beyond Orderprovides a call to balance these two fundamental principles of reality itself and guides us along the straight and narrow path that divides them.

©2021 Jordan B. Peterson

The 12 rules presented in “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”:

  1. Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.
  2. Cultivate a sense of purpose and a sense of responsibility.
  3. Foster social connections and relationships.
  4. Pursue the best possible education and learning opportunities.
  5. Accept that suffering is a necessary part of life and learn from it.
  6. Consider your place in history and strive to leave a positive legacy.
  7. Use your abilities to the best of your ability and be courageous in the face of challenges.
  8. Practice forgiveness and reconciliation.
  9. Practice gratitude and find joy in the things you have.
  10. Take care of your physical and mental health.
  11. Engage in creative pursuits and cultivate a sense of beauty in your life.
  12. Seek truth and wisdom, and use them to make the world a better place.

“Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life” is available on Amazon.


Take care of yourself so that you can take care of others.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson argues that taking care of yourself is necessary in order to be able to take care of others. This includes taking care of your physical and mental health, developing your skills and abilities, and finding meaning and purpose in your life.

He writes that taking care of yourself requires self-discipline and self-control, as well as a willingness to confront and overcome your fears and limitations. It also involves setting and working towards goals, and learning from your mistakes and failures.

By taking care of yourself, you can become stronger, more resilient, and better able to cope with the challenges and hardships that life may throw your way. Additionally, by being healthy and fulfilled, you can be of greater help and service to others, and make a positive impact on the world around you.

Cultivate a sense of purpose and a sense of responsibility.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to cultivate a sense of purpose and responsibility in order to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. He writes that having a sense of purpose helps to give your life direction and meaning, and provides a sense of motivation and drive.

To cultivate a sense of purpose, Peterson suggests asking yourself what you value and believe in, and then working to align your actions with those values. He also advises taking on responsibilities and challenges that align with your sense of purpose, as this can help you to grow and develop as a person.

Peterson also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your actions and their consequences. He argues that accepting responsibility helps you to become accountable for your life and empowers you to make positive changes. By taking responsibility, you can also inspire others to do the same, and contribute to a more responsible and compassionate society.

Foster social connections and relationships.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to foster social connections and relationships in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that relationships with others can provide a sense of belonging, support, and connection, and can help us to feel less isolated and alone.

To foster social connections and relationships, Peterson suggests building and maintaining a network of friends and loved ones, and being open and vulnerable with them. He also advises seeking out opportunities to interact with others, such as joining clubs or groups, volunteering, or participating in activities that interest you.

Peterson also advises being mindful of the quality of your relationships, and making an effort to cultivate positive and supportive relationships with others. He argues that by building strong and meaningful relationships, we can not only improve our own well-being, but also contribute to the well-being of others and the society in which we live.

Pursue the best possible education and learning opportunities.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to pursue the best possible education and learning opportunities in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that education and learning can help us to develop our skills, knowledge, and abilities, and can also provide a sense of meaning and purpose.

To pursue education and learning opportunities, Peterson suggests setting goals and working towards them, being open to new ideas and experiences, and seeking out opportunities to learn from others. He also advises being mindful of the quality of your education, and striving to learn from the best sources and teachers available.

Peterson argues that education and learning are not just about acquiring specific knowledge or skills, but also about developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication abilities, as well as a sense of curiosity and intellectual humility. By pursuing education and learning opportunities, we can not only improve ourselves, but also contribute to the betterment of society and the world.

Accept that suffering is a necessary part of life and learn from it.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to accept that suffering is a necessary part of life and to learn from it. He writes that suffering is an inevitable part of the human experience, and that it can serve as a source of growth and development.

To learn from suffering, Peterson suggests looking for the lessons it has to teach and using them to improve your life. He advises being mindful of your emotions and how you react to suffering, and making an effort to find meaning and purpose in the midst of it.

Peterson also advises being compassionate and empathetic towards others who are suffering, as this can help to ease their burden and provide them with support and comfort. He argues that by learning from suffering and helping others to do the same, we can not only grow as individuals, but also contribute to the betterment of society and the world.

Consider your place in history and strive to leave a positive legacy.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to consider their place in history and strive to leave a positive legacy. He writes that we are all a part of a larger historical narrative, and that our actions and choices have an impact on the world around us and on future generations.

To leave a positive legacy, Peterson suggests setting goals and working towards them, being mindful of the impact of your actions on others, and making an effort to contribute to the betterment of society and the world. He also advises being aware of your place in history, and striving to understand and learn from the experiences and lessons of those who came before you.

Peterson argues that by considering your place in history and striving to leave a positive legacy, you can not only make a difference in the world, but also find meaning and purpose in your life. He writes that by living in a way that is mindful of the past and the future, you can create a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that has a lasting impact.

Use your abilities to the best of your ability and be courageous in the face of challenges.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to use their abilities to the best of their ability and be courageous in the face of challenges. He writes that we all have unique talents and abilities that we can use to make a difference in the world, and that it is important to develop and use these abilities to their full potential.

To use your abilities to the best of your ability, Peterson suggests setting goals and working towards them, seeking out opportunities to learn and grow, and being open to new challenges and experiences. He also advises being courageous in the face of challenges, and not letting fear or doubt hold you back.

Peterson argues that by using your abilities to the best of your ability and being courageous in the face of challenges, you can not only achieve your goals and make a positive impact on the world, but also find meaning and purpose in your life. He writes that by striving to use your abilities to their full potential and facing challenges with courage and determination, you can create a life that is fulfilling and meaningful.

Practice forgiveness and reconciliation.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to practice forgiveness and reconciliation in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that forgiveness and reconciliation are essential for healing and resolving conflicts, and can help to restore relationships and build bridges between people.

To practice forgiveness and reconciliation, Peterson suggests looking for opportunities to forgive those who have wronged you, and letting go of resentment and anger towards them. He also advises seeking to understand the perspective and motivations of others, and working towards finding common ground and resolving conflicts.

Peterson argues that by practicing forgiveness and reconciliation, we can not only improve our own well-being and relationships, but also contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious society. He writes that by learning to forgive and reconcile with others, we can create stronger and more meaningful relationships, and find peace and fulfillment in our lives.

Practice gratitude and find joy in the things you have.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to practice gratitude and find joy in the things they have in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that gratitude is an important emotion that helps us to appreciate and value the good things in our lives, and that it can bring a sense of joy and contentment.

To practice gratitude, Peterson suggests making an effort to notice and appreciate the good things in your life, and expressing thanks and appreciation for them. He also advises being mindful of the things you take for granted, and making an effort to appreciate them as well.

Peterson argues that by practicing gratitude and finding joy in the things you have, you can not only improve your own well-being and happiness, but also contribute to a more positive and grateful society. He writes that by cultivating an attitude of gratitude and finding joy in the small things, you can create a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that brings happiness and contentment.

Take care of your physical and mental health.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to take care of their physical and mental health in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that good physical and mental health are essential for living a healthy and productive life, and that it is important to prioritize taking care of yourself.

To take care of your physical and mental health, Peterson suggests engaging in healthy behaviors such as eating a nutritious diet, getting regular exercise, and getting enough sleep. He also advises seeking help when you need it, and being open to seeking therapy or other forms of support when needed.

Peterson argues that by taking care of your physical and mental health, you can not only improve your own well-being and quality of life, but also be of greater help and service to others. He writes that by prioritizing your own health and well-being, you can create a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that has a positive impact on those around you.

Engage in creative pursuits and cultivate a sense of beauty in your life.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to engage in creative pursuits and cultivate a sense of beauty in their lives in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that creativity and beauty are important aspects of the human experience, and that they can bring joy, meaning, and fulfillment to our lives.

To engage in creative pursuits and cultivate a sense of beauty, Peterson suggests finding activities and hobbies that allow you to express yourself creatively, and seeking out beauty in the world around you. He also advises being open to new experiences and trying new things, and being mindful of the beauty in everyday life.

Peterson argues that by engaging in creative pursuits and cultivating a sense of beauty, we can not only improve our own well-being and happiness, but also contribute to the betterment of society and the world. He writes that by finding joy and meaning in creative expression and beauty, we can create a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that brings happiness and contentment.

Seek truth and wisdom, and use them to make the world a better place.

In “Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life”, Jordan Peterson advises readers to seek truth and wisdom, and use them to make the world a better place in order to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. He writes that truth and wisdom are important values that can guide our actions and decisions, and that they are essential for creating a better world.

To seek truth and wisdom, Peterson suggests being open to new ideas and perspectives, and being willing to question and challenge your own beliefs. He also advises being humble and open to learning from others, and seeking out sources of knowledge and wisdom.

Peterson argues that by seeking truth and wisdom, and using them to make the world a better place, we can not only improve ourselves, but also contribute to the betterment of society and the world. He writes that by striving to understand and seek truth and wisdom, and using them to guide our actions and decisions, we can create a life that is rich and fulfilling, and that has a positive impact on the world.


Discover the principles for living a good and meaningful life with Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life by Jordan Peterson.