First, you must believe in yourself and your ability to succeed. Without believing in yourself you have already lost the race. In everything you do you should exude a high level of self-confidence.
Work hard and be very disciplined. Success do not come overnight; you must work hard for it and be disciplined. Without these two, it is almost impossible for you to be successful. It won't be easy, but it can be done. As the famous quote goes, "Heights of great men reached and kept were never attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, kept toiling onward through the night."
Balance your life. It is important to remember that even as you work hard you should take some time to have fun. There is time for everything; set a time to have fun and never neglect your family and friends. It is also important to remember that you should get the work done first, and then have fun.
Have good manners. An individual should always show respect to other people and distinguish oneself as ladies and gentleman. As a famous Jamaican proverbs goes, "Manners carry you through the world and back without a penny."
Take time to educate yourself and become qualified. Never assume that you learn as much on the job. In this global economy, for anyone to succeed they must have the necessary tools to be successful, and that includes having an education.
Do not let the pass define who you are; you define who you are. No matter what your background is you can break through any barriers if you just follow these steps.
Never forget where you're coming from. Many people, who after achieving some success, bad mouth where they come from. This is a sure recipe for failure in the future as the same ones you talk badly about now can be the ones who rescue you in the long run.
Have a good mentor and role model. Set realistic goals and try to achieve them. Put God first in your life.