Set a foundation to excel well in the things you are interested in

Love what you are doing.
You can only willingly sacrifice and endure if you love what you are doing.

Be confident.
Believe that you can do whatever you set your mind on with the right guidance.

Get a professional in your niche to see you through.
For example, if you are interested in working in marketing, you could find an online course held by a successful person in the industry.

Learn in a real-world context.
Find time to practice what you love doing in a real-world context. Continue to find a way to balance what you learn in the real-world with what you learn from professionals.

Be willful.
Express your opinions. Think about the ideas of others but resist the temptations to follow them blindly.