When it comes to getting good at something, many people take the task very seriously. You have everything from sports lovers(both players and spectators), artists, volunteers, readers, dog walkers, bonsai tree enthusiasts and just about anything else you can imagine. But one frustrating fact of life is we rarely have enough time to dedicate to a craft.

What if that’s just because we’re not doing something right? We might not have as much time as we want, but spending a small amount of time learning and practising the right way is far more valuable than spending a lot of time in the wrong way.
Here are some tips to take your game to the next level in whatever you choose.

“Piwik mentors at the Open Source Academy” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by catsocmedia

Find A Mentor
Mentors are important. For example, if you want to gamble well, there are various steps to follow in order to become a professional. From taking emotion out of your play to keeping a betting diary, expert Rob McLauchlan guides readers in the ways of honing their craft the right way. For interested parties, you can find more of what Rob has written in here. The great thing about this situation is that your “mentor” and his teachings can be found on your phone.

With an internet connection and a working smartphone, you have all the tools you need to study well, as long as you choose a mentor that meshes with your sensibilities. That goes for someone you can meet up with in person as well. Just be sure to research heavily before linking yourself with someone who’s going to guide your way to greatness.

The schedule wall” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by wiennat

Set A Schedule And Stick To It
As mentioned earlier, part of what makes the act of studying and practising something difficult is that we have limited time. While only being able to put in 30-60 minutes a day can be a challenge, it doesn’t make growth impossible.

Much like Forbes’ suggestion for entrepreneurs to have a work-life balance to have enough energy for their daily tasks, making a schedule keeps your day clean and your mind focussed. If you plan to work on a new business start-up for an hour after work and read on the subject before sleep, then set times you know you need to fill. If you don’t fill those times, you’re not working towards your goal. Pair this with learning from your mentor how to study/practise and you have guaranteed helpful practice daily. Those 90 minutes of effort you put in every day will equal almost 548 hours of practice by the end of the year.

The trick here is you have to remain consistent.

Get A Full Night’s Sleep
Time and again we hear this advice in our daily life, but it’s so true. The difference between four, six and eight hours of sleep can make all the difference in the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re picking up weightlifting, cosmetology, or programming, the benefit a full night’s rest gives your body and mind is immeasurable. This tip goes right alongside finding a mentor to teach you the right way to learn. Without the energy needed to pursue your dreams after a long day’s work, you won’t have the fuel to commit to that daily. That’s a recipe for intermittent commitment or giving up altogether. Therefore, you must determine a sleep schedule that is convenient for you and stick to it. Also, in order to ensure you get an adequate amount of sleep, prepare your environment in a way that does not interfere with your sleep. Make sure the air conditioner works well (contact Chattanooga AC repair
companies, if necessary), then remove major sources of noise and light from the room, and finally, make sure the bedding is comfortable.

Following these tips and having the means to find what works best for you is key to success. You just have to decide when to start and stay consistent. If you can do that, all that’s left is putting in the work.