I find that the tournaments where I have the best results are the ones where I am actually dealt average or BELOW average hands for the whole tournament. I think it is because it causes me to critically think about each spot, each situation and identify opportunities. Because I don't have "good cards" as a crutch to lean on, I have to manufacture my own +EV situations and the process keeps me sharp and on top of my table.
So, more than just simply saying "you must expand your range of playable hands" which is obviously true...you must expand your bag of tricks.
Until you get to the late stages of a tourney where everything is push fold...most hands do not go to showdown. USE THAT to your advantage to take away pots that don't belong to you. 3bet a LAG with 78s and imagine that it's AA. If the LAG happens to wake up with the top of his calling range, you've got a decent hand to be facing a premium hand with. But, usually the LAG will just lay down to you.
so...you MUST do this before you blind down to 10-15bb or less. Once stacks get low enough, you will definitely see more rivers, and the strength of your 2 cards matters more than ever.
If you notice a person is opening light a lot, 3bet them light when you have position. They'll hate playing out of position vs a perceived Nit's 3bet range and they'll most likely fold.
If you are in the blinds facing a LAG's raise, then you can either flat preflop with a wide range including speculative hands and then jam on the flop (stop n go) or you can 3bet all in preflop (depending on stack sizes of course).
If you hit a piece of the flop, and they are a LAG then check-raise them all in. it will be extremely hard for them to continue with less than 2 pair.
it's about a lot more than just the cards you are being dealt.