The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Always desire to learn something useful.
To know oneself, one should assert oneself.
The wise does at once what the fool does at last.
Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.
Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.
The dog that trots about finds a bone.
It's always too early to quit.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
Your political reputation affects how likely allies are to trust you, and what kind of deals they'll offer at the negotiating table. There's also some emotional response in there, so factions do bear grudges. Just like the real thing.