What rules does Tom make up for himself when he begins work in "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket"?

In "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket," after the yellow sheet
blows out the window of his eleventh-floor apartment, Tom Benecke decides that he is going out on
the building's ledge after it.  As Tom calculates what he will do to retrieve the important
worksheet.

• He knows that he better hurry and "get this
  over with" before he thought too much


• As he moves along the ledge,
  Tom prevents himself from thinking about what he is doing.


• He does
  not permit himself to look down.


• When he catches hold of the
  paper, Tom sees through his legs the street below and terror grabs him; however by sheer
  willpower, he forces himself to straighten up and stand.


• To keep
  from fainting and save his life, Tom concentrates on staying conscious, drawing deep breaths and
  fighting to keep himself alert.


• As thoughts of his death flood his
  mind, Tom forces his mind shut against every idea but what he must do to get back into the
  apartment.


• "By a kind of trick" of his mind, Tom moves each foot
  methodically.


• When he slips against the window, Tom sees
  everything as he had left it through the window that he cannot open.  So he tries  to alert
  people by shouting and lighting makeshift flare and by dropping coins to the street, Tom realizes
  that nothing is working, but he cannot remain on the ledge too long. 
  


• So, he tests the window pane, knowing that he has only one chance
  to break it.  He shoots his arm forward, shouting his wife's
  name.