Life is not an exact science. There are no guarantees that what you do will produce the results you hope and pray for. Learning from other people who have walked more than a mile in your shoes can give you needed strength and direction for the journey. Good friends who know you well can advise you, but you can also learn from others. Interview people you admire for information, asking how they meet the challenges of life. Enrich your understanding through books and studying the bible as well.