Suppose you want to be generous. If you look up generous in the Oxford dictionary, you’ll see “showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected.” You can enumerate the principles for “I am generous” as:
- I give more than is needed or expected.
- I look for ways to help others.
- Etc.
Next, you’ll want to enumerate some rules. Think through your average day. Suppose that when you get up and use the bathroom, sometimes you leave the seat up. Rule 1: “I put the seat down.” Suppose that when you get to the office, there are usually donuts, but they never buy enough for everyone, and if you get there too late, they are gone. Rule 2: “I don’t take the last donut.” You can imagine the rest.