At the start of his entrepreneurial career he co-founded Zip2 and PayPal. Elon Musk is currently the founder, general manager and chief technology development officer for space technology company SpaceX, as well as the general manager and chief technology officer of automotive and energy systems manufacturer Tesla, Inc. (formerly Tesla Motors), and president of solar photovoltaic systems company SolarCity. He is also the founder of Neuralink, a company exploring human-artificial intelligence symbiosis, and The Boring Company, a tunnel boring systems company.

He has envisioned a high-speed transportation system called Hyperloop, has proposed a supersonic aircraft with electric propulsion, and is one of the most vocal proponents of Mars exploration and colonization.

In mid-January 2021, Musk became the richest man on the planet, dethroning Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. His fortune is now estimated at $203 billion, according to data from Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index. What made him get there? Elon Musk’s journey is defined by bold goals, high-risk taking and a willingness to learn from failures. His visionary nature and leadership ability have made him a pioneer in the business landscape. His story teaches that limits exist to be pushed. Here are 10 of his quotes that prove it:

Rule 1: Failure is the stage that precedes success
“Failure is a choice. If things don’t fail, it means you’re not innovating enough.” Musk recognizes that failure is an inevitable part of pushing boundaries and taking risks and the risk that comes with it. By reframing failures as learning opportunities and not being overwhelmed by the negative social “assumptions” that accompany them, you can overcome them and gain valuable insights that are “fodder” for future achievements.

Rule 2: Don’t Dream Small
“I think it is possible for ordinary people to choose to be extraordinary.” Elon Musk encourages us to dream without limits and strive for our own “think big” that will make our dreams a reality. By setting ambitious goals, you push yourself to explore uncharted territories, discovering your true strength.

Rule 3: Persistence
“Persistence is very important. You should not give up unless you are forced to give up.” For Musk, vision is a source of strength. To such an extent that the strength of character turns into stubbornness that overcomes every difficulty and obstacle with the added weapon of determination. Only ideas can give such strength. With dedication and effort, you develop your abilities.

Rule 4: Vision, Not Necessarily Material
“After leaving PayPal, I thought: What are some of the problems that are likely to affect the future of humanity the most?” Not from the perspective of: “What’s the best way to make money?” It’s not those who want to make money that become wealthy, but rather those who have innovative ideas.

Rule 5: Faith
“Believe in what you think is important, even if the most likely outcome is failure.” Musk’s journey was filled with many challenges and setbacks, but he consistently shows persistence and resilience because he believed in his dream. His path teaches us that success rarely comes without obstacles.

Rule 6: Lifelong Learning
“Seek out criticism constantly. A well-thought-out critique of anything you’re doing is as valuable as gold.” Musk promotes a culture of continuous learning and innovation. He believes that seeking constructive criticism is essential and that by adopting a mindset of continuous improvement, you can stay ahead and drive innovation in your own endeavors.

Rule 7: Surround Yourself with Great People
“Great companies create great products.” The kind of people you spend most of your time with has a significant impact on you. That’s why it’s better to surround yourself with intelligent, resourceful individuals. Thanks to the internet and social media, you can connect with people who share your interests and exchange your passions and plans.

Rule 8: Listen to Your Instinct
“Don’t fear the unknown. Explore new horizons.” His decision to drop out of Stanford University might have been seen as foolish by many, but Elon Musk knew what he was doing. He followed his instinct, and this allowed him to expand his horizons. Listening to your instinct can sometimes be fruitful and lead you to make the greatest and best decisions of your life.

Rule 9: Be Doers
“Optimism, pessimism, just get it done.” Musk knows how to turn his passion into reality. It’s not enough to have vision; you also need the determination, courage, and discipline to make it happen.

Rule 10: Positive Thinking
“If you wake up one day and say that the future will be better, then it’s a great day.”

How can someone who has achieved so many goals not be optimistic? And when Earth stopped inspiring him, he began to believe in Mars.