Early Tournament Strategy

[pocketjacks]

I have read that you should go around picking up small pots early on in tournaments to accumulate chips. I have also read that you should not lose money trying to go after a "nothing" pot. What exactly does "picking up small pots" mean? Am I right in thinking that if you are the CO and there is only one or two limpers in front of you, you try a steal by raising maybe 3 or 4 X BB? I may be really off.
ANY advice is appreciated.