To know oneself, one should assert oneself.
The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
Expect problems and eat them for breakfast.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
Be thine own palace, or the world's thy jail.
Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.
If you can dream it, you can do it.
If you've got a talent, protect it.
Do not weep do not wax indignant. Understand.
Never complain and never explain.
Have convictions. Be friendly. Stick to your beliefs as they stick to theirs. Work as hard as they do.
My experience has been that work is almost the best way to pull oneself out of the depths.