Flight Directors are suggestions, not commands.
You would be surprise how many 10000+ hours pilot follows it like if it's a command from god!
But like most others have said, preparation is the key. Just have a piece of paper of frequencies and navaids that you'll encounter on route, study the charts that you'll most likely to use...etc. Make sure your procedures are down pat, go through the geographic and different phrases of flight in your mind at home.
Know your recalls. I like to do mine in the car on the way to work. Afterall, when you do do it in a real emergency you are not going to be sitting in your comfy coach, feet up, just focused on doing the recall.