Ranking Higher on Google Questions

Hey, I know this has probably been asked a lot, but frankly, I'm a little bit confused as to what the best method of ranking higher is.

Is it commenting on other blogs? Mass submitting to article directories? And if so, what program do you recommend?

I'm trying to do a little bit of everything but its not seeming to work that well.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Have you, by chance, happened to look at the hundreds of threads in white and black hat SEO? Just thought I'd ask.