Famous laws from around the world

Practical “life laws” you can actually use plus my perspective and examples for each

People often call these “laws,” but most are really popular principles about human behavior, decision-making, and productivity. They’re memorable because they describe patterns we see in everyday life—and they’re useful when you treat them as mental shortcuts, not unbreakable rules.

• Murphy’s Law: Expect setbacks; plan buffers and backups.

• Kidlin’s Law: Write the problem clearly; clarity creates solutions.

• Gilbert’s Law: Own the process when you accept responsibility.

• Wilson’s Law: Build valuable skills and evidence; income often follows.

• Falkland’s Law: Skip unnecessary decisions; focus on meaningful ones.

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1. Murphy’s Law

Meaning: If something can go wrong, it might—especially when you’re unprepared.
Common modern phrasing: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

My perspective

The helpful takeaway isn’t “the universe is against you.” It’s that complex systems have failure points, and stress makes us notice them more. When you “worry,” you often also spot risks—so use that worry as a prompt to plan.

Example

You’re traveling for an important interview. If you cut it close, traffic or a delayed train can ruin your timing. Murphy’s Law thinking says:

• leave early,

• bring a backup copy of documents,

• charge your phone,

• know an alternate route.
  It’s not pessimism—it’s risk management.

2. Kidlin’s Law

Meaning: If you can write the problem down clearly, you’re halfway to solving it.

My perspective

Writing forces precision. Most “big problems” are actually a bundle of smaller problems. The moment you describe it clearly, you usually discover:

• what’s factual vs. assumed,

• what you control vs. don’t,

• what action would reduce the pain fastest.

Example

Vague problem: “I’m overwhelmed at work.”
Written clearly: “I have 12 tasks due this week, and I’m spending 2 hours/day in meetings. The top 3 tasks that affect my performance review are A, B, and C.”
Now the solution becomes easier: decline some meetings, time-block A/B/C, and renegotiate deadlines on the rest.

3. Gilbert’s Law

Meaning: Taking responsibility means owning the method, not just the outcome.

My perspective

This is a strong principle for leadership and professionalism: if you accept a job, you can’t wait for perfect instructions. That said, “find the best way” doesn’t mean “work alone.” It often means ask smart questions, verify constraints, and choose an approach.

Example

You’re asked to “improve customer onboarding.” Instead of waiting for a step-by-step plan, you:

• review drop-off metrics,

• interview 5 new customers,

• map the onboarding flow,

• test a shorter onboarding email sequence.
  You’re not just doing tasks—you’re designing the path to results.

4. Wilson’s Law

Meaning: Prioritize learning, skill, and value creation—money often follows.

My perspective

This tends to be true over the long term, but it’s not magic. Skills pay when they’re market-relevant, visible, and connected to real problems. Learning without applying can become “productive procrastination.” The best formula is: learn → build → show → iterate.

Example

A designer learns UX research and runs simple usability tests. They document results in a case study and share it in a portfolio. That combination—skill + proof—often leads to better job offers or higher-paying freelance work.

5. Falkland’s Law

Meaning: If you don’t need to make a decision, don’t—avoid unnecessary choices.

My perspective

Many decisions are costly because they create extra work, conflict, or second-guessing. Falkland’s Law is about decision discipline: don’t decide just to feel “in control.” But don’t misuse it to avoid decisions that truly matter—timing is key.

Example

Your team debates changing project tools (again). If the current tool works and switching adds training time and migration risk, Falkland’s Law suggests: don’t change tools yet. Save decision energy for higher-impact choices—like improving workflow or clarifying requirements.