To know oneself, one should assert oneself.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
The secret of getting ahead is getting started.
After a storm comes a calm.
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
To be a good loser is to learn how to win.
Know or listen to those who know.
What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.
But to me the bottom line is the more education you can give yourself, and the more preparation you can do, the less chance of failing.