Forget about everything else before you've sculpted your tracks with EQ.

You'll learn more from an EQ on every channel with all faders up trying to make everything fit than with any other mixing tool ever made. 

With your eyes closed, what needs your EQ attention?

• Which elements need high frequencies and which need low frequencies?
• Which instruments can you trim the top off of and place in the low end?
• Which instruments can you filter out the fat and make shine in the high end?
• What needs to be all encompassing in the middle?

You should feel very accomplished if you can make all your tracks fit together with EQ.

And if you can't, EQ Strategies - Your Ultimate Guide to EQ will help you get there.