I’ve read every book I could find on how to be successful, binged countless episodes of How I Built This by Guy Raz, and spent hours watching YouTube videos dissecting the habits of high achievers.
After all that research (and some serious soul-searching), certain patterns started to emerge. These insights shaped what I now call The Success Blueprint – an approach I’m currently testing myself. While I can’t promise it’s a guaranteed formula, it’s based on what I’ve observed from countless success stories of those who’ve built extraordinary lives. Whether their claims are true or not, the principles remain compelling and worth exploring.
Before you roll your eyes and think, “Great, another ‘just manifest it and it will magically appear’ promise…” – don’t worry, this isn’t The Secret.
The Success Blueprint
Step 1: Define YOUR Success
Success is personal. It’s not about what society tells you to want. It’s about what you truly desire. Do you dream of a home with a large garden and white picket fence? A jet-setting lifestyle? A business empire to empower women? Dream big. (The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz is a great read on this.)
Get clear on what success means to you by considering:
- Relationships: Who do you want in your life? How do you want to feel in those relationships?
- Money: What’s your income goal? What kind of lifestyle do you want to afford?
- Health & Looks: What does the best version of you look and feel like?
- Giving Back: How do you want to contribute to the world?
Once you have a vision, ask yourself why you want it. Your why will keep you going when things get tough (Start with Why by Simon Sinek is a great read on this).
Step 2: Visualize the Future You
Visualization apparently isn’t just for meditation gurus. It’s a tool used by top athletes, CEOs, and high achievers… and it was mentioned too many times to be ignored – so I’ve added it to the Success Blueprint.
Every day, whether on your morning walk, in the shower, or before bed, take five minutes to see yourself living your dream life. Picture the details: where you are, what you’re wearing, who you’re with. Make it real in your mind, and it will guide your actions in reality.
Step 3: Get Real with Your Numbers
Dreaming is fun, but now it’s time for math. How much money do you need each month to fund your dream life? Break it down:
- Mortgage/rent
- Travel
- Savings
- Investments
- Lifestyle expenses
- Giving back
Write it down. Big visions require big numbers, and that’s okay! Knowing exactly what you’re working toward makes the journey clearer and more motivating.
Step 4: Add a LOT of Value
Money follows value. If you want to be wealthy, you need to solve problems.
How to Find a Million-Dollar Idea:
- Identify problems people complain about.
- Improve an existing solution.
- Start with what you know, what you can do, and who you know.
- Brainstorm at least 50 ideas—yes, 50! (Read The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco before you start. Trust me on this one.)
- Don’t worry about how just yet.
Step 5: Validate Before You Jump
Before diving in, test your idea. The biggest mistake is building something no one wants.
- Can you sell it before making it? (Pre-sell to determine if people are interested.)
- Will people pay for it now? (Offer a beta version.)
- Are others making money from something similar? (That might be a good sign.)
Read Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan for a deep dive on validation strategies.
Step 6: Take Massive Action
Success doesn’t come from (only) thinking – it comes from doing.
The Success Playbook:
- Systematize Everything – Read The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber.
- Adopt a Problem-Solving Mindset – Everything is figureoutable (thanks, Marie Forleo!).
- Hire the Right People – Good to Great & Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 by Jim Collins and William Lazer will explain why it’s important to get the right people on the bus.
- Automate & Delegate – Learn from The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss.
- Master Productivity – Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy and Ali Abdaal’s Feel-Good Productivity are must-reads here.
- Marketing – Use This is Marketing & The Purple Cow by Seth Godin, and The $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi as your starting point.
Step 7: Reflect, Adapt, and Keep Growing
The key to long-term success? Constant reflection and growth.
- Are you making progress toward your goals?
- What’s working? What’s not?
- What do you need to change?
Read Who Moved My Cheese? to understand how to adapt to change without resistance.
The Success Blueprint in a Nutshell
- Define your version of success.
- Visualize it daily.
- Know your numbers.
- Find ways to add value.
- Validate before you build.
- Take massive action.
- Reflect, learn, and adapt.
Oh, and be a good person. But that’s a story for another day…