Dude
Chieftain
I was stalling badly when stepping up to Regent level so I read and read all the ideas posted I could find and am having huge success with the following combinations:
Other uses for workers (thanks Shaitan) http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13744
Culture Rush (thanks Clutch-3) even though I haven't won on culture basis yet in this game, I may and have already taken over a few evil cities from the dark side via culture http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10064
Playing as the Persians - immortals rock early in the game (posted by many Immortal fans) and the French no longer reside on my planet
I also was able to secure 3 sources of iron early - Thanks all for your insight.
Other uses for workers (thanks Shaitan) http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=13744
Culture Rush (thanks Clutch-3) even though I haven't won on culture basis yet in this game, I may and have already taken over a few evil cities from the dark side via culture http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=10064
Playing as the Persians - immortals rock early in the game (posted by many Immortal fans) and the French no longer reside on my planet

I also was able to secure 3 sources of iron early - Thanks all for your insight.