Lou Holtz’s 3 Rules for Life and Leadership
What if living a great life came down to just three simple rules?
Legendary coach Lou Holtz often shared three principles that can transform the way you make decisions, lead others, and build meaningful relationships.
They are simple.
But when applied intentionally, they become a powerful framework for living a life by design.
Lou Holtz’s three rules are:
- Do the right thing
- Do the best you can
- Show people you care
In this video, filmed in Maui, I break down how these three principles can guide how you live and lead across the most important areas of life.
Business
Relationships
Faith
Finances
Health
When these ideas are applied through clear values and long-term thinking, they become a roadmap for building a life that wins across all areas.
Rule #1: Do the Right Thing
Doing the right thing begins with knowing your core values.
When your values are clear, decision making becomes much easier because you have a filter to evaluate every opportunity and challenge.
This is where second order thinking becomes powerful.
Instead of asking only what happens next, you begin asking deeper questions:
- What are the long-term consequences of this decision?
- Where will this path lead two or three steps down the road?
- Will this decision move me closer to the person I want to become?
Thinking this way leads to stronger leadership and better long-term outcomes.
Thomas Jefferson once gave advice that captures this idea well:
Swim with the current in style, but stand like a rock in principle.
In other words, adapt when needed, but never compromise your principles.
Rule #2: Do the Best You Can
Doing your best does not mean exhausting yourself.
It means showing up each day with focused and intentional effort.
One powerful way to do this is by replacing your traditional to-do list with a success list.
A success list focuses only on the handful of actions that truly move your life and work forward.
Instead of trying to accomplish everything, you identify the few priorities that create real progress.
This approach creates more clarity, less stress, and better results.
Rule #3: Show People You Care
Leadership is not only about results. It is about people.
When people feel seen, valued, and appreciated, trust grows.
Strong relationships are built when care is communicated consistently through actions such as:
- Listening intentionally
- Offering encouragement
- Recognizing effort
- Expressing gratitude
When people know you care about them as individuals, loyalty and collaboration naturally follow.
Why These Three Rules Matter
When combined, these three principles form a powerful leadership framework.
Do the right thing creates integrity and direction.
Do the best you can ensures focused effort and discipline.
Show people you care builds strong and lasting relationships.
Together they create a blueprint for living and leading with intention.
Watch the Full Video
In this video you will learn:
- How to filter decisions through your core values
- Why second order thinking leads to better long-term decisions
- The difference between style and principles
- Why doing your best means focused effort, not exhaustion
- How a success list can outperform a traditional to-do list
- Why communicating care strengthens relationships
Video Timestamps
00:08 Maui Intro and Purpose
00:56 Lou Holtz Three Rules
02:11 Rule One: Do the Right Thing
02:46 Values and Second Order Thinking
04:10 Principles Versus Style
05:03 Rule Two: Do the Best You Can
06:30 Success List Over To Do List
07:10 Rule Three: Show People You Care
08:09 Communicate Care Daily
09:39 Challenge and Closing
About The Whole Enchilada
The Whole Enchilada is about building a life by design.
Too many people focus all their energy on one area of life and watch everything else fall apart.
Others chase the idea of work-life balance and end up mediocre at both.
There is another way.
The goal is to win across the most important areas of life:
Business
Wealth
Relationships
Health
Faith
Adventure
When these areas are aligned, you are not just successful. You are fulfilled.
Go live life on your terms.
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