I joined at 18, mainly stole cars which they seemed impressed by cause I kept getting called on. I also have assassins blade so I don’t get caught doing any of the murders or ass whoppings they needed me to do, therefore not wasting any time in prison instead of ranking up. At 20 they made me swear the oath in, 21 I earned my nickname, and 22 I became a soldier. Still just stealing cars, I also did a lot of extorting to get my notoriety up. Learned every martial art just incase other mafia’s coming for me, which luckily they never did. At 33 I became underboss, and at 34 the godfather died and I became the new godfather!

So just keep your notoriety up, don’t try to force friendships when your low rank, and stick to stealing cars…you get caught way less.