Kanye West: 'I Try Not to Get Hung up on The Small Things'

Kanye West still lives by his mother's advice.

Donda West died late last year from heart disease following surgery.

And Kanye, 31, says she continues to help him change his stubborn ways.

He told Ellen DeGeneres Tuesday, "A lot of things changed and, you know, with my mom passing ... one of her goals was, she really supported me and she always wanted me to be the best that I could be and not get hung up on the small things.

"So, with her not being here to try and talk me into doing things, I ... just try do things she would want me to do."

DeGeneres recalled how Donda often attended Kanye's show tapings.

"She was just lovely, and you were as close to her as I am with my mom," she said.

And Kanye -- who is no stranger to best-dressed lists -- praised DeGeneres for having "really great style."