Introduction Acknowledgements   Rules to break 1. Success is a good job earning lots of money Rule 1: Success is what you say it is   2. Some people are just born lucky Rule 2: Don’t envy other people   3. You need the right qualifications Rule 3: Exams aren’t the be all and end all   4. Your parents are always right Rule 4: Don’t expect your parents to be perfect   5. Your parents are responsible for how you turn out Rule 5: Give your parents a break   6. The world is against you Rule 6: You’re responsible for your own life   7. We all have an absolute right to be respected Rule 7: There’s a balance between the right to respect, and tolerance   8. You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family Rule 8: Your siblings should be your best friends for life   9. Teacher knows best Rule 9: Getting on at school is not the same as getting on in life   10. Have something to say for yourself Rule 10: If you find it hard to talk, try listening   11. Some people are just difficult Rule 11: No one chooses to be difficult without a reason   12. Don't waste your time on people who aren't worth it Rule 12: Suffer fools gladly. Well, suffer them, anyway   13. You can’t be cheerful if you’re in pain Rule 13: Pain doesn’t have to make you miserable   14. Good work speaks for itself Rule 14: No one at work will know how good you are unless you tell them   15. Do what it takes to get what you want Rule 15: Don’t emotionally blackmail people   16. A place for everything, and everything in its place Rule 16: It’s not morally superior to be tidy   17. It matters what other people think Rule 17: Don’t live for other people’s approval   18. Give as good as you get Rule 18: You get what you give   19. Stick with your own kind Rule 19: Your friends don’t all need to be like you   20. The best things in life are free Rule 20: Everything worth having hurts   21. You can change people Rule 21: Don’t try to change people   22. It’s where you’re going that matters, not where you came from Rule 22: Be proud of your roots   23. Friends are for life Rule 23: Friends come and go   24. Mistakes are a bad thing Rule 24: Mistakes can be good   25. Be a friend to everybody Rule 25: You don’t have to like everyone   26. … and everybody will be your friend Rule 26: … and not everyone will like you   27. If you don’t like it, tough Rule 27: Remember you have a choice   28. You need to get your chores over with Rule 28: Life’s all about the little things   29. Stay true to your dreams Rule 29: Priorities change over the years   30. People have a right to know Rule 30: Know how to keep a secret   31. Face your fears Rule 31: Replace the bad thoughts   32. Make a New Year's resolution every year Rule 32: You can't change habits unless

NOW WITH 10 NEW RULES   A personal code for living your life your way   From a very young age you’ve been inundated with other people’s rules. Whether from well-meaning friends, teachers or parents, these bits of gracious advice are supposed to help you get on in life. The trouble is, many of these rules aren’t always true and yet they have a major influence on your life, whether you realize it or not.   So how do you sort the gold dust from the sawdust?   The Rules to Break exposes the most common phoney rules, explains what’s wrong with them, and then offers a refreshing alternative and a new way of thinking. In this new edition of the worldwide bestseller, Richard Templar has added 10 brand new Rules to help you master the ability to truly think for yourself.   It’s your life. Why not live it your way?