Beyond Order

Beyond Order is the follow-up to Jordan Peterson’s bestselling book 12 Rules for Life and identifies another 12 rules to live by that help us live with and even embrace the chaos that we struggle with every day, identifying that too much order can be a problem just as much as too much disorder.

Before modern science, there was an ancient art known as alchemy. Alchemists believed they could turn materia prima, or the primal element, into anything, even gold.

As mystical as this all sounds, there is a lesson here. Peterson believes that our lives are like a materia prima. There are so many possibilities for what you can become. With a vision and dedicated action, you can form yourself into whatever you desire.

As humans, our conscious thought allows us to each pave novel paths for ourselves. We adapt and innovate using our own creativity and create unique ways of living life.

Creating a new life isn’t always an easy thing to do. Making something new requires that we push through adversity, danger, and chaos.

The first step is to find a vision that compels you. Maybe you’ve always wanted to accomplish or create something, or maybe you’ve always had a scientific question you’ve wanted answers to.

Next, confront the fears and chaotic psychological forces that hold you back. It’s natural to be afraid of failure or have trouble with self-control that holds you back. But if you stay focused on your vision, over time, you can learn to master these challenges and become the hero of your own story.

At the University of Toronto, where Peterson was a young professor, he found the faculty offices depressing. He decided that if he was going to spend so much time here, he was going to give the place a makeover. After proposing to install wood paneling and getting shot down, he had to change plans. He compromised by painting the walls and hanging vibrantly colored art. Soon, the office was inviting and warm, and even the administration took notice of his beautiful aesthetic expression. The risk of change paid off and made him feel happier to be there. In 12 Rules for Life, Peterson emphasized the importance of keeping a clean bedroom. In a way, an organized bedroom is the first step toward an organized life. But then Peterson realized, when you focus just on order in a space, you can forget about something almost equally important: beauty. Art and other aesthetic designs are a fundamental part of our culture. Art can convey powerful ideas and feelings. It can speak to us in ways nothing else can, even if we aren’t trained in art. Often, as we age, we…