I'll just post what I do at NL Ring games, keep in mind that I play NL Ring live usually and tourneys online.

Generally I try to win every pot that I lead at some time, or if I sense that I can get a slightly stronger hand to fold. This generally wins small pots (I play 1/2 NL) in the range of $10-30. Gradually building my stack until I get a great flop and THEN the goal is to destack.

Basically winning the smaller pots allows me to build up to cover most of the stacks at the table and then when I flop a set, strong draw or better, I try to play for stacks.

I make a few loose calls to try and hit hard on the flop because it pays off, great example (and yes this was lucky) from last night:

I'm BB and trying to project a looser table image than I am actually playing, UTG+2 raises to 15, gets no callers around to me and looks a little upset about it, so I ask him if he wants me to call blind. He says he doesn't care so I announce that I will give him some action. (In actuality I looked at my hand and it was the 45 of hearts, a near perfect hand to break what he was representing AA-JJ.) Flop comes 955 w/2 diamonds, he bets 10 into the $30 pot and I "finally" look at my cards, smile and raise him to 30, he calls. Turn is the 7d to complete the flush draw and I lead out with 25, trying to pick it up on the turn, but he calls again. River is a 4, so now I'm protected against a flush if he slowplayed AKd or similar and I bet out 100, he mulls it over and says if I have the 5 I played it too fast and calls, he flips his KK, I show him my boat and take $180 off of him.

Now more often than not I'm going to miss and fold for my 15, but at 180 dollars it only takes 1 out of 12 hands with this type of play to make it break even and that's assuming I don't sense weakness and take any of the $30 pots down w/o a showdown.