I’ve worked with Julia Labaton for over a decade! She’s President and Founder of RED PR, an agency boasting fantastic clients and which has been named a top beauty PR firm by The NY Observer. She was the PR mastermind behind iconic nail polish brand CND Shellac (acquired by Revlon due in large part to RED PR’s efforts) and has continued to work with renowned brands like Morgan Taylor Lacquer, Ouidad, C.O. Bigelow, FENDI Fragrance and Miss Jessie’s. I tapped this successful entrepreneur and vibrant CEO to share her Five Rules For Life. Here they are, in her words.

1. Age is a mindset.

You’re only as old as you feel. Seek and experience wonder that blows your mind. Leave your comfort zones. Continue learning. Read. Explore. Ask questions. Curiosity didn’t kill a cat; it keeps you young. (Caveat: There is truth to age-appropriate dressing.)

2. Say “Thank You.”

Be grateful for the individuals, experiences and kind gestures in your life that bring joy and meaning, or simply make the moment a little better. Say “Thank you” often. Say “Thank you” within 24-hours of an event. Handwritten notes are better than email; both never hurt. When was the last time someone over-thanked you? A late “thank you” is better than no “thank you.”

3. Detox bad energy.

Part of developing self-awareness is establishing boundaries. Are you spending time and energy with people who make you feel bad about yourself or bring you down? Wish them well, separate yourself and move on. Easier said than done because you are probably close to anyone with that kind of influence in your life. Don’t martyr yourself. “A wise woman refuses to be anyone’s victim,” wrote Maya Angelou.

4. Practice the Golden Rule, even when you don’t feel like it.

As Maya Angelou also wisely said, “People will forget what you said, people with forget what you did, but they will remember how you made them feel.” Be loyal and supportive of your relationships. (Refer to rule 2.)

5. Don’t be a litterbug.

One of the important lessons I learned in Mrs. Murphy’s 4th grade class at Orchard School in Ridgewood NJ. No one is picking up after you, it’s bad for the planet and trash is ugly. Thank you Mrs. Murphy.

Bonus beauty rule: Moisturize daily from head to toe.

Thanks, Julia!

Stay tuned for more Five Rules For Life.

“Five Rules For Life” is a series on Rouge18 in which I ask others to share their five rules for life about anything and everything. You can learn a lot about a person by reading which five things govern their actions, no?