Join me for a comprehensive guide on how to be successful in life and business. I’ll share my personal journey from school dropout to 9-figure success.​ As a businessman, I helped found We Level Up drug and alcohol rehab center, that is now a 9-figure network. You’ll find powerful advice, tips, and guidance on how to be a successful entrepreneur.

How to be Successful​ in Life & Business: My 9-Figure Blueprint

Wondering what should I do with my life? Or looking to start a business without money down? Or wondering small business ideas to chase after? Let’s get into how to be successful in starting a business.

As we delve into how to be successful​, first, let’s identify what success means to you. Is it a number in your bank account? The title on your business card? Or is it something deeper? Perhaps a sense of peace, fulfillment, and freedom?

I get asked all the time, “How to be successful,​” and “How did you do it?” How in the world did you go from rock bottom to helping found a 9-figure business empire?” People see the success now—the speaking events, the thriving companies, the life I’ve built—but they don’t always see the journey. My path wasn’t a straight line. It was filled with detours, immense struggle, and profound lessons. I’ve faced addiction, tragedy, and overcome the kind of self-doubt that can swallow you whole.

How to be Successful​: Mindshift, Habits and Actions to Get There

But I’m here to tell you that your past does not have to define your future. I am living proof that transformation is possible. That dreaming the American dream into your reality is possible. My story isn’t just about business. It’s about rebuilding a life from the ground up. It’s about turning pain into purpose and setbacks into stepping stones. Lifting myself up and finding my passion along the way.

In this guide, I’m going to share the raw, unfiltered truth about how to be successful in life. This isn’t a theoretical lecture. This is the playbook I used to transform myself and my circumstances. We’ll cover the mindset shifts, daily habits, and strategic actions that took me from feeling worthless to building a life beyond my wildest dreams. Whether you want to know how to be a successful entrepreneur, a better leader, or simply a happier human being, the principles are the same. Let’s start this journey together.

The Story of My Unlikely How to be Successful​ Path

To understand how to be successful​, you first have to understand what it’s like to have nothing. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon. My childhood was turbulent, and I found myself on a destructive path early on. Addiction took over my life. It led me to juvenile detention and close calls with overdoses. I felt like the world owed me something, and that resentment was a poison I drank every day.

The turning point wasn’t a single moment but a slow, painful awakening. It was the realization that if I wanted my life to change, I had to change. No one was coming to save me. Lying on a cold floor, broken and alone, I made a choice. I chose to fight for a different future.

Today, I am 24 years sober. I lead a team of over 600 incredible people and help lead a 9-figure business. I share my story not to brag, but to show you what’s possible. My journey from an overdosed addict to a multimillionaire businessman, detailed in my book An Unlikely Businessman, is a testament to the power of personal development. Everything I teach comes from deep personal experience.

The strategies for how to be successful​, that I’m sharing are the very ones that saved my life. These are the lessons that built my success.

The Foundation for How to be Successful​: Mastering Your Inner World

Before you can find success as a real estate agent, YouTuber, or business owner, you must first understand yourself. Your mindset is the operating system for your life. If it’s corrupted with negative beliefs and self-doubt, you’ll never reach your full potential.

Step 1: Cultivate Radical Self-Awareness

The first step on any journey of growth is knowing where you stand. You can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. For years, I blamed everyone else for my problems: my parents, the system, bad luck. The truth was, I was the common denominator in all my failures.

Radical self-awareness means looking honestly at yourself. This includes your strengths, weaknesses, fears, and patterns.

Activity: The Daily Review
At the end of each day, take 10 minutes to reflect on these questions:

• What went well today? What was my role in that success?
• What challenges did I face? How did I react?
• Where could I have shown up as a better version of myself?
• What limiting belief or fear showed up today?

This isn’t about judgment; it’s about observation. It’s about collecting data on yourself so you can make informed decisions about who you want to become. For more on this, check out my resources on how to change your life.

Step 2: Rewrite Your Limiting Beliefs

We all have stories we tell ourselves. “I’m not good enough.” “I don’t have what it takes.” “Successful people are just lucky.” These are limiting beliefs, and they are the silent killers of dreams.

I used to believe I was a lost cause, destined for a life of failure. That self-limiting belief kept me trapped. To break free, I had to consciously replace that narrative.

Exercise: Identify and Reframe

1. Identify: Write down a goal, like “I want to start a business and be successful.” Now, listen to the voice that follows. What does it say? (“I don’t have enough money,” “What if I fail?,” “I’m not smart enough.”)
2. Challenge: Is this belief 100% true? Can you find any evidence to the contrary? Have other people with fewer resources succeeded?
3. Reframe: Create a new, empowering belief. Instead of “I don’t have enough money,” try “I am resourceful and can find the funding I need.”

This is a core part of the work I do with my clients in my online life coach programs. It takes practice, but it’s a game-changer.

Step 3: Embrace Unwavering Discipline

Motivation is fleeting. Discipline is what carries you through when motivation fades. When I first got sober, I didn’t always feel like going to meetings or doing the hard work of recovery. But I did it anyway. That discipline built the foundation for everything that followed.

Success in any field, whether you want to be a successful real estate agent or be a success on YouTube, requires consistent action.

The Habit	Why It’s Crucial for Success	My Personal Practice
Morning Routine	Sets the tone for the entire day, putting you in a proactive state.	Daily exercise and mindful eating are non-negotiables for me because we are 3-part human. Mind, body, and spirit.
Time Blocking	Ensures that your most important priorities get your focused attention.	I schedule blocks for deep work, meetings, and personal development.
Physical Health	Your body is your vehicle. You can’t perform at a high level if you’re running on empty. Download my daily routine PDF to learn more.	Daily exercise and mindful eating are non-negotiables for me because we are 3-part human. Mind, body and spirit.
Continuous Learning	The world is always changing. Stagnation is the enemy of success. Have you embarked on a continuous improvement path?	I dedicate time each week to reading, listening to podcasts, and taking courses.

Discipline isn’t about punishment; it’s about self-love. It’s about honoring the promises you make to yourself.

Employ these core how to be successful​ tips, guides and insights:

• How to Change Your Life – 10-Step Life Transformation Blueprint
  https://ryanzofay.com/how-to-change-your-life/​
• Real-Life Success Guide: What Should I Do With My Life?
  https://ryanzofay.com/what-should-i-do-with-my-life/​
• Standards for Success in Life & Work
  https://ryanzofay.com/standards-for-success/​
• Be the Change You Want to See in the World
  https://ryanzofay.com/how-to-be-the-change-you-want-to-see-in-the-world/

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The How to be Successful​ Strategy: Actionable Tactics for External Success

Once your inner foundation is solid, you can start building the external structures and the steps for how to be successful​. The principles are universal, whether you’re in sales, real estate, or creating online content.

How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur or Salesperson

Running a business and excelling in sales share a common thread: they are about solving people’s problems. My journey taught me that empathy and genuine connection are the most powerful tools in business. Wondering how to be successful in business without really trying? Well, it’s all about developing the characters at how to be successful business leader.

Here are my core strategies and their characters at how to be successful business:

• Lead with Value: Stop trying to sell. Start trying to help. Before you ever ask for a sale, provide immense value. Understand your customer’s pain points better than they do.
• Build Authentic Relationships: People do business with people they know, like, and trust. Focus on building genuine connections, not just transactional relationships. Remember names, ask about their families, and show you care.
• Master Communication: Your ability to communicate your vision, inspire your team, and connect with customers will determine your ceiling. I offer workshops on The Art of Public Speaking & Leadership because it’s that critical.
• Embrace Failure as Feedback: You will fail. Deals will fall through. Launches will flop. Don’t see it as a reflection of your worth. See it as data. What can you learn? How can you pivot? My early business ventures had plenty of failures, but each one taught me a crucial lesson.

How to Be a Success on YouTube?

The desire to know how to be a successful YouTuber is more common than ever. It’s a platform where authenticity and value reign supreme. The same principles apply.

1. Find Your Niche: Don’t try to be everything to everyone. What is your unique perspective? Who is your ideal viewer? My YouTube channel is focused on transformation and business because that’s my story.
2. Consistency is Key: The algorithm rewards consistency. Create a content schedule and stick to it.
3. Engage with Your Community: Reply to comments. Ask for feedback. Build a community around your content. Your viewers are your greatest asset.

Check out my guide on videos. Learn more about YouTube VSLs, Podcasts, and motivational videos. Of course, overcoming self-doubt, a major hurdle for new creators, is a critical first step.

• Video Sales Letter Success Blueprint.
• Inspiring and Motivational videos to transform your life.
• 100 Curated Best Business Podcasts for Growth & Success.
• Top 10 Best Life Coaches videos, Sites, Training & Courses.
• Top 10 ways to overcome self doubt and boost self confidence.

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Your How to be Successful​ Blueprint Action Plan

Knowing how to be successful​ is not enough; you must apply your knoweldge consistently. Here is a step-by-step plan for how to be successful​. These steps will help get you started on your journey today.

Most people underestimate what they’re capable of because they’ve never been shown a real plan. I came from childhood trauma, addiction, and failure, and still founded a 9‑figure business and a life I’m proud of. If that’s possible for me, it’s possible for you. The difference is not talent. It’s habits, standards, and the courage to tell yourself the truth and change. If you’re ready to do that work, this is your roadmap.

Before you stack new self improver habits, get clear on what “success” actually means to you. Is it freedom, impact, sobriety, financial security, deeper relationships, or all of the above? Let’s explore how to be successful​ together in my real-life success guide, “I don’t know what to do with my life?” In this guide, I provide a simple framework to help you define your next chapter. This is about your success, not what your parents or social media think.

Top 15 steps how to be successful in life & Business:

Once you know what winning looks like for you, raise your standards. Success never shows up in a life where you tolerate chaos, broken promises, and low effort. In my guide, “Standards for Success in Life & Work,” I share my expectations. I use these for myself, my leadership team, and my clients. Your how to be successful​ tactics must embrace stopping excuses. Rather, start living like the person you want to be.

1. Define your “why.” Success without a deeper reason behind it will never feel like enough. Take a moment to ask, “What do I want my life to look like—and why?” Join me in my guide, “What Should I Do With My Life?” I will help you define success in your own way, not someone else’s.
2. Decide what success means for you. Raise your standards above survival. Decide what you will and will not tolerate in your health, relationships, finances, and mindset. My “Next level performane” guide provides a clear framework. I use this framework with my teams and clients. It helps align daily actions with a larger vision.
3. Get brutally honest about what’s not working. You can’t change what you refuse to see. Take an inventory of the habits, relationships, and stories that keep you stuck. In my guide on self-improvement, I show you how to face your patterns honestly. Then, you can turn that awareness into a plan.
4. Commit to one new habit for 30 days. Don’t try to rebuild your entire life overnight. Choose one habit—like a 10‑minute morning reflection, journaling, or meditation—and lock in on it for the next 30 days. My self-confidence worksheets provide daily trackers, belief exercises, and habit logs. These tools help you see your progress on paper.
5. Invest in yourself like you’re your best asset. The best investment you’ll ever make is in your own growth. That might mean buying a book, joining a mastermind, or stepping into a room that stretches you. Explore my live personal development seminars, events and workshops to plug into high‑energy environments that accelerate your transformation.
6. Build a success ecosystem around you. Your environment is more powerful than your willpower. Surround yourself with people who are committed to growth and will tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. My Breakthrough Coaching Center was built for exactly that—to give you coaching, community, and accountability in one place.
7. Take imperfect action daily. Waiting for the perfect moment is how you lose decades. Pick one scary but meaningful action and do it today: make the call, send the email, ask for help. If you need a push, my “Nobody Cares, Work Harder” guide will help you move from excuses to execution—no fluff.
8. Master your emotions instead of letting them run your life. Success requires you to feel fear, shame, and anger and still move. You can’t outperform your emotional patterns unless you understand them. My self-mastery guide teaches you how to manage your nervous system. It helps you process triggers and use your emotions as information, not as restraints.
9. Protect your mental and physical energy. You can’t be successful if you’re burnt out, anxious, and exhausted. Treat your energy like a non‑negotiable asset. Use my mindfulness exercises to calm your mind, breathe through stress, and reset your focus anywhere, anytime.
10. Keep learning like your future depends on it. The kid who dropped out in 7th grade now studies personal development daily—that’s not an accident. Build your own “success syllabus” with books that actually shift your thinking. Start with my curated lists of the best personal development books and self‑esteem books for real‑world change.
11. Turn comparison into inspiration. The moment you stop comparing and start studying, everything changes. Instead of scrolling and feeling left out, ask, “What can I learn from this person’s habits?” Use my coaching tips to turn jealousy into motivation.
12. Design a simple daily success routine. Success is built in your calendar, not in your wishes. Create a morning and evening routine that anchors your mindset, your body, and your priorities. My personal development school and personal development goal‑setting resources will help you build a routine that you can actually sustain.
13. Expect setbacks and build inner strength before you need it. Life will punch you. Deals fall through, people disappoint you, old triggers show up. The time to build resilience is before everything falls apart. My inner strength guide gives you principles and practices I used to come back from rock bottom and stay grounded under pressure.
14. Stop chasing shortcuts and master the fundamentals. There’s no hack that replaces character, skills, and consistency. When I committed to doing the work—day in and day out—that’s when my life changed. If you want real results, check out my business coach‘s 9-figure blueprint. I explain the basics that truly make a difference.
15. Redefine success as you grow and repeat the process
    What felt like success at 25 will feel small at 45—and that’s a good thing. Every time you reach a goal, take a moment to celebrate. Then ask, “What does success look like now?” Use my “How to Change Your Life” guide to regularly check your life. Set your next vision and restart this 15-step plan at a higher level.

If you follow these 15 steps with honesty and effort, you won’t just “learn how to be successful.” You will become the kind of person that success can’t ignore.

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Success Habits & Emotional Intelligence – Research vs. Ryan Zofay’s Practical Coaching

“From Habits to Success: Build Your Success Routine

Small, consistent habits — not bursts of willpower — are what build lasting success. Strategic routines create the momentum required for long-term growth, discipline, and achievement.

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✅ Habits findings for how to be successful​

Studies, Statistics & Key Findings	Tips & Practical Guides
43% of daily actions are habitual rather than intentional — meaning behavior change works best when automated. (American Psychological Association)	Define Small Wins → Break goals into micro-actions. 🔗 How to Be Successful (Guide)
Habits become strong within ~90 days of consistent repetition. (Frontiers in Psychology)	Commit to 90-Day Cycles for predictable success loops. 🔗 Personal Development Framework
Habit-based behavior reduces decision fatigue and preserves mental energy for important tasks. (IE University)	Use Cue → Routine → Reward Loops to automate discipline. 🔗 Mindset Transformation Guide
If–Then Planning dramatically increases habit follow-through rates. (Gollwitzer Research)	Use If–Then Success Scripts (“If it’s 8 PM, then I review priorities”). 🔗 Mindfulness & Awareness Tools
Repeated behavior in the same context becomes automatic, reducing the need for willpower. (APA)	Identity-Based Habits → Reframe: “I am someone committed to growth.” 🔗 Accountability Coaching
Intentional routines improve mental health, reduce stress, and boost goal attainment. (Utah State University Extension)	Daily Reflection Practice → 5-minute review for clarity & focus. 🔗 Self-Growth Systems
Habit routines increase strategic thinking and leadership capacity. (Brainz Magazine)	Morning Success Rituals → Set top 3 priorities before distractions. 🔗 Leadership Growth Essentials

Success is not the result of motivation — it’s the product of consistent, identity-driven habits. When leaders build routines supported by psychology and structure, they generate unstoppable momentum.

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“Emotional Intelligence: The Hidden Engine of Leadership & Success”

Emotional intelligence (EQ) is one of the strongest predictors of leadership success. High-performing teams, strong individuals, and good decision-makers all have strong emotional awareness and people skills.

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✅ Emotional Intelligence findings for how to be successful​

Studies, Statistics & Key Findings	Tips & Practical Guides
Leaders with high EQ display stronger performance, decision-making, and leadership effectiveness. (SAGE Journals; SpringerLink)	Develop Self-Awareness → Track triggers, emotions, patterns. 🔗 Emotional Intelligence In the Workplace Coaching
EQ-driven leadership leads to higher engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. (SRR Journals; EA Journals)	Build Social Awareness → Improve empathy + active listening skills. 🔗 Zen Communication Mastery Tools
Emotional self-regulation improves stress resilience & conflict navigation. (Science of Mind)	Emotional Regulation Practices → Breathing, pausing, reframing. 🔗 Mindset Reset Tools
High-EQ leadership reduces turnover and improves team cohesion. (SRR Journals; ResearchGate)	Strengthen Relationship Management → Clear communication + feedback. 🔗 Begin with a free Leadership Assessment.
Meta-analyses show EQ strongly predicts leadership outcomes and team performance. (SAGE Journals)	Post-Meeting Reflection Debriefs → Improve clarity & insight. 🔗 Personal Growth Toolkit
EQ is trainable and expandable, not fixed. (Science of Mind)	Weekly EQ Check-Ins → Journaling, mindful processing, evaluation. 🔗 Coaching & Accountability Programs

Emotional intelligence shapes how leaders communicate, resolve conflict, inspire teams, and navigate stressful decisions. By developing EQ, individuals unlock greater self-mastery, connection, and true leadership capacity.

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Let’s Build Your Legacy

Success isn’t a destination you arrive at one day. It’s a continuous journey of growth, learning, and becoming. It’s about waking up each day and striving to be a little better than you were yesterday.

My life is a testament to the fact that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you have the power to rise. The same fire that forged me through my darkest moments now fuels my success. And that fire is inside you, too.

If you’re ready to stop settling and start building the life and business you truly desire, I’m here to guide you. The first step is always the hardest, but you don’t have to take it alone.

Ready to unlock your potential? Book a call with me and let’s start building your legacy, together.

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Additional Resources

• Mindfulness: How I Use Mindfulness Exercises to Transform My Life
• Videos: Best Life Coaches Videos for Transformation
• Podcast: Business Coaching Secrets Podcast for Entrepreneurs
• Confidence Building: Self Confidence Coach for Women & Men
• Career Growth: Ryan Zofay Career Coach for Executives
• Overcoming Burnout: How to Recover from Burnout at Work & Life