The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
Know or listen to those who know.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Things do not happen. Things are made to happen.
Either you run the day or the day runs you.
The dog that trots about finds a bone.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
It's always too early to quit.
If you think you can do it, you can.
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.