This guide assumes you are starting at the absolute bottom. Skip the steps that aren't applicable to you.

1. Find resources while homeless:

• http://helpwhenyouneedit.org/

Research: Unfortunately, no research has been done on any programs at scale. Some 'housing first' organizations have shown promise, but there's very few across the country.

2. Find funded training for certifications in well-paying fields. (Varies by location.)

2a. Visit https://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/find-training.aspx

2b. Under 'Find Local Training', put your zip code and distance from the training program, then search.

2c. Check the box for 'WIOA-certified training programs only'.

2d. Some common certifications/sectoral jobs that MIGHT be well-paying (Varies by location. A lot. Choose a certification that makes the most sense in your area.):

• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CDL (Commercial Driver’s License)
• Pest Control Technician
• CNC Machining
• Diesel Mechanic
• Welding
• Supervisory Leadership
• Phlebotomy
• Certified Health Care Access Associate
• Patient Care Assistant
• State Tested Nurse Assistant (STNA)
• Medical Billing & Coding (CPC)
• IT Sector (Security+, Microsoft Certs)
• Environmental Remediation (HAZWOPER)
• Financial Services (FINRA Licenses)

Research: https://www.povertyactionlab.org/publication/sectoral-employment-programs-path-quality-jobs-lessons-randomized-evaluations

(WORK IN PROGRESS. UPDATING THIS POST LATER WHEN I'M FREE.)

1. Explore different interests before focusing on one.

• Correct: Trying chess, trying basketball, taking an open online computer science course, cooking something new, trying tennis, learn how to draw your first digital art, learn the basics of competitive Street Fighter, attempt your first speedrun of a Trauma Center game, etc.
• Wrong: Deciding you want to be a chess grandmaster WITHOUT exploring anything else first.
• Research: https://characterlab.org/tips-of-the-week/sample-then-specialize/

2. Choose your Ultimate Goal in Life™.

• Correct: After exploring several interests, you discover that you are persistently passionate about becoming a content creator.
• Wrong: Graduating college (which is a great goal, but one that leads to your top-level goal).
• Wrong: Getting 1 million Twitch subscribers (this might be an 'end goal', but your ultimate goal should be a journey, not a destination).
• Research: https://youtu.be/NBgBy4vP_QE
• More Research: https://characterlab.org/tips-of-the-week/step-by-step/

3. WOOP your life goal.

• Video Guide: https://vimeo.com/262725813
• Wish: What you want. (Your life goal.)
• Outcome: Vivid details of the ideal outcome.
• Obstacle: One (1) inner obstacle, something within your control, that is most likely to impede you from your goal. (e.g. Procrastination.)
• Plan: If (Obstacle), then I will (Action). For example: If I feel like procrastinating, then I will shut off my phone and use the StayFocused browser extension to block out all irrelevant websites (YouTube, etc.) for the next hour.
• Research: https://woopmylife.org/en/science

4. Use 'Expert Practice' to get good.

Video Guide: https://vimeo.com/797475870

• Step 1: Break down a skill you want to learn into smaller sub-skills.
• Step 2: Set aside time to remove ALL distractions and focus on one (1) sub-skill.
• Step 3: Find and seek feedback from someone good at that sub-skill.
• Research: https://characterlab.org/activities/expert-practice-for-classrooms/

If you are having difficulty brainstorming or connecting the advice from this post to your life, AI chats like duck.ai can help flesh out ideas.

And that's pretty much it! This advice is very generic to apply to as many people as possible, but if you follow these, you'll succeed in life.

This is a new community in the works.

I'll be creating rules on post formatting soon.

Until then, feel free to post anything you need help for or are offering to help with.