Life has its own rules, but it also knows how to surprise us when we least expect it. No matter what happens in your life, there are some things you can count on. There will be moments of doubt.

There will be tests of character you won’t see coming. The journey is not linear: twists, turns, and ups and downs are guaranteed.

However bleak things may seem at times — and no matter how many times life tests you — there are always ways to navigate your way back into the light and see things clearly.

The key to a successful life is to know how to navigate your way through it.

It starts with stacking a lot of truths, principles, lessons, rules and mental modes to control the trajectory.

If you want to navigate life successfully, you need to find a lot of applicable truths scattered across time.

I like what Eric Jorgenson, the author of The Almanack of Naval Ravikant said, “If you want to navigate life in an astonishingly successful way, you need to find a lot of truths. Truths are hidden all over, across time, geography, culture, and disciplines.”

Applicable truths provide a framework for understanding the world, ourselves, and our relationships with others. They help us make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes, and achieve our goals with greater clarity and purpose.

The most successful people apply principles, lessons, theories, mental models and many life rules from multiple sources.

Mark Twain was right, “It’s not what you don’t know that kills you; it’s what you know for sure that ain’t true. “

To succeed on your unique journey, you must know the right ways to achieve what you want.

No matter who you are or where you live, universal principles will help you thrive throughout every stage of your existence.

Your job is to discover the many truths that can help you make better decisions, take the right steps and work your way to your true north.

We all want to achieve our goals, live a fulfilling life, and make a meaningful impact on the world.

However, to do so, we must first find the truths that will guide us on this journey. These truths could be anything from understanding our values, beliefs, and principles to experiences that worked for great minds in the past or present.

You are not alone

“We’re at the beginning of an infinity of knowledge,” Naval once said.

When we take the time to discover these truths, we gain clarity, focus, and direction. We are better equipped to make decisions, overcome obstacles, and pursue our dreams.

Life doesn’t always go as planned, but you can increase your odds of success by first recognizing that you are not alone.

Navigating life successfully can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be.

You are part of a larger, interconnected world and can learn from other people’s experiences and observations.

You don’t have to face all of life’s challenges by yourself.

Assume there’s no universal truth

The next step is to be open-minded about problems in your life.

Don’t immediately assume there’s a single “right way” or “right answer” for every problem.

Be willing to think outside conventional wisdom, experiment with new experiences, and try new approaches to solving everyday problems. This can save you time and frustration in the long run.

Be more curious about different approaches to solving problems in the many areas of life. Be curious about new routines, habits and daily rituals.

Ask questions, seek answers, and apply what you find.

Measure how the principles you apply affect your progress.

Do more of what’s working. Reflect on your failures, identify what went wrong, and use that knowledge to improve your future efforts.

Repeat the process for every new principle, rule or experience.

Question assumptions. Our beliefs, routines and common answers are based on limited or biased information. Challenge your assumptions and seek evidence to support or refute them.

Seek out diverse sources of life principles

“There are no eternal facts as there are no absolute truths,” Friedrich Nietzsche once said.

It’s easy to get trapped in your beliefs, but by being open to new perspectives, you may discover truths you never knew existed.

To find a variety of truths, expose yourself to different sources of information. Read books, articles, and blogs from a range of authors with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.

People have different experiences, beliefs, and values that shape their understanding of the world. Seek out diverse perspectives, especially from great past thinkers, to broaden your knowledge of life.

Embrace uncertainty.

Truth is not always black and white. Embrace uncertainty and recognize that new information may not always be comfortable.

Discomfort is not the enemy.

Find, apply and filter many truths

Reflect on your experiences, beliefs, and values. Consider how they have influenced your decisions and actions and whether they align with your goals and aspirations.

In summary, finding, applying and filtering as many truths as possible is a key component of navigating life in an astonishingly successful way.

By being curious, questioning assumptions, habits, and mental models, seeking diverse perspectives, embracing uncertainty and practicing self-reflection, you can develop a deeper understanding of the world and yourself and achieve your goals with greater clarity and purpose.

This article originally appeared in Medium.