Everyone needs some rules...

Don't Panic.

Be prepared.

Keep an escape route open.

Don't lie to yourself.

Keep your overhead low.

Don't procrastinate.

Be decisive. Even if it means you'll be wrong sometimes.

Keep secrets.

Never cut what can be untied.

Be organized.

Say what you mean and mean what you say.

Make long and short term goals.

Consider the worst case scenario now and then and prepare for it.

Give people a second chance, but not a third.

Keep it simple.

Act as though it were impossible to fail.