No matter who we are or where we come from, we are responsible to become our best self. That means that if we are not successful, we have no one to blame but ourselves. However, it will still take a lot of hard work. Learning new ways of doing things, changing the way we look at the world. So, where to start?
1. Decide What You Want to Do
Think about what you really want out of life. Do you have dreams of what you want to be? Do you have any hobbies that you love? What are your interests? If you are interested in computers, nursing, medical or dental assisting, lab technician, biotechnology, dietitian, biology, robotics, telecommunications, and many others; you can find training and employment that will get you a good job. The important part is deciding what you want and putting forth the effort.
2. Set Goals
Once you decide what you want to do, set some goals. Steps that will get you where you 
want to go. First and most important goal is to make it to class. Second is to make the effort to study and learn what you need to do to reach your ultimate goal. You can also set goals or steps that you will take to reach the ultimate goal. Sometimes steppingstones will help you get jobs that will pay bills while you are getting the education. For example: Your ultimate goal might be Nursing. You can get the training of a CNA so you will have a job in your field while you are studying to be a nurse. The most important thing is to make a plan so you get what you want.
3. Read Books or Watch Podcasts
There are plenty of books that can help you with all kinds of things. Books about what has made others successful can help you to learn how to be successful too. Books on goal setting, self-improvement, speaking to others, personal development, improving self 
confidence and many others are out there to help you improve your life. Getting books on audio can be very helpful. You can download them and listen when driving to work or riding the bus.
Watching podcasts will also give you a lot of good information on how to improve your life. For example, there are Ted Talks with all 
kinds of information. Also, YouTube videos can give you small doses of information that can help you. Some of them are just a few minutes long. You can listen when you are cooking dinner or riding the bus.
4. Find Mentors
A mentor is someone who helps you get where you want to go. While you are working to reach your goals, you will find people who are willing to help you achieve your goals. They can give you ideas of how to get jobs, education and support you while you are working toward your goal. Many times, these people will become friends. You can learn from their experiences and make networking connections through them that will help you achieve your goal.
5. Get a Job that will Help you Reach the Ultimate Goal
When you first start out, you may have to start in fast food or working at a restaurant. 
However, you don’t have to be stuck there for very long. Often you can get steppingstone jobs that will give you experience in the field you want to go into. You can work as a nursing assistant while you are going to school to get your nursing degree. Do some deep thinking and figure out ways to get on the job experience for the job you ultimately want to get to.
6. Schedule your Life so you Get Things Done
Setting up a schedule will help you reach your goal. I don’t mean a daily schedule; I mean a job and education schedule so that you know where you are going and how you will get there. Know how long classes will take and when you will be able to move onto the next thing. Example: Get a job waiting tables so that you can get the money to get an associate degree. Then if you will go on for a bachelors and what you will do to reach that step.
7. Reward Yourself for Achievements
Celebrate achievements. Take yourself to dinner to celebrate when you achieve the first step Example: when you get your associates, when you get your CNA, when you finish your RN, when you complete your BSN.
8. Re-evaluate When Necessary
It is important to re-evaluate your goal. Make any changes you need to. Sometimes when you get into something, you find you don’t really like it. Re-evaluating your goals will help you find the job you like. One thing to look at is whether or not you can still use your current knowledge and training to get you through to the next step or the next job.
9. Never Give Up
Keep your end goal in mind to keep you working towards it. Reaching smaller goals and being rewarded for them will help you keep going until you reach your end goal. I guarantee you will feel good at the end for accomplishing your goal.
10. Show Up 
The very most important thing is to show up and take control of your own life. It doesn’t matter where you came from or what your parents did. You can make your own decisions and reach your own accomplishments. You must show up to register for classes. You must show up to class. You must show up for homework and completing assignments. The results will be worth it in the end.
Books to read.
https://www.thebalancesmb.com/best-success-books-4154795
https://www.success.com/25-books-for-success/
https://www.developgoodhabits.com/success-books/
books on speaking
https://virtualspeech.com/blog/public-speaking-books
Speak With Confidence : Powerful Presentations That Inform, Inspire and Persuade 1st Edition
by Dianna Booher
Fearless Speaking: Beat Your Anxiety. Build Your Confidence. Change Your Life. Kindle Edition
by Gary Genard
https://tacticaltalks.com/blog/top-10-public-speaking-books/
https://positivepsychology.com/goal-setting-books/
The Alchemist- Author: by Paulo Coelho
The Magic of Thinking Big Written & Narrated by David J. Schwartz
Think and grow rich Written by Napoleon Hill
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
The Power of Positive Thinking Author: Norman Vincent Peale
Unlimited Power The New Science Unlimited Power: The New Science Of Personal Achievement by Robbins, Tony.
The Last Lecture: Randy Pausch, Jeffrey Zaslow
StrengthsFinder
Book by Donald O. Clifton and Marcus Buckingham
7 Habits of Highly Successful People- by Stephen R Covey
The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Charles Duhigg
How to Set Goals with Kaizen & Ikigai
By: Marcus Sullivan
Self- Discipline: 10 Day Self Discipline Blueprint to Achieve Your Goals, Become a Success and Develop a Mental Toughness Mindset
By: Callum Rawling
What the Most Successful People Do at Work
A Short Guide to Making Over Your Career
By: Laura Vanderkam
Goal Setting: How to Create an Action Plan and Achieve Your Goals
By: Susan B. Wilson, Michael S. Dobson
