Our lives are a journey — a learning curve — wherein we encounter a multitude of challenges, victories and triumphs that shape who we are and who we ultimately become. From the people we surround ourselves with, to the values and principles we cherish, we are constantly shifting and evolving. To become our self-actualized potential, here are ten rules to live by:

1. Strive for progress, not perfection. Success doesn’t lie in being perfect, but in having the attitude that strives to be perfect.

1. No one succeeded who didn’t fail first, and the road to success is long and has a thousand pit stops.

1. The lion pays no heed to the opinion of sheep. Those with vision see what others cannot, so pursue your dreams fearlessly. Every good idea sounded crazy until it succeeded.

1. A mind closed to learning is a soul closed to growth, for true success lies in the never-ending pursuit of knowledge and wisdom.

1. The Golden Rule echoes through time, an ageless reminder to treat others with the kindness and respect we wish to receive.

1. Never forget where you came from, and those who helped you along the way, for they are the foundation of who you are.

1. Only focus on what you can control, and let go of what you can’t. The only thing in your control is your reaction to the world. Don’t let the world control you, and you will rule the world.

1. Opportunity is surrounded by difficulty, and everyone who has ever succeeded only did so after overcoming monumental challenges. As they say, “the only way out is through.”

1. Stop chasing the world, and the world will start chasing you. Detachment without apathy is the key to life’s riches.

1. You are the sum total of the people you surround yourself with. Choose your company wisely, for they will shape who you are & who you will become.

By living our lives in alignment with these rules, we can hope to build meaningful relationships, achieve our goals, and find happiness and fulfillment in all that we do.