Concentration is the ROOT of all the higher abilities in man.

Bruce Lee

How to improve in any aspect in life requires the proper tools. What I mean by tools is the proper mind set to a given demand. Whether it’s learning how to swim or play basketball. Sometimes you may already be great at a skill, but find yourself at a plateau.

Key Points

• Play the game from a different angle. Use unorthodox methods of approach
• Be willing to make mistakes and deal with the frustration
• Go out of your comfort zone in life, in general
• Sit down and micro manage the little details that fly over your head in practice
• Look for ways to involve others/seek new competition
• Research and question yourself consistently, never settle for one way
• Trial and error goes a long way

How to Improve

The Plateau

How to Break the Plateau

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. 
Albert Einstein

Where to Start

Start by doing some research. Look at books and check out the reviews on places like amazon. Learning proper technique or educating yourself in a subject or skill never gets too old. The next step is to get out of your comfort zone. Approach your skill from a different angle. Be willing to face the frustration of learning your skill all over again. That’s usually the case when looking at it from a different angles. If possible, take notes or document yourself with video. Don’t be afraid to ask others for their opinion. We generally have a bias towards ourselves. We can’t help that most of the time. It’s good to ask someone who will be honest with us.


Switch styles and change your pattern of performance. Take the time to step out of your comfort zone and then go back to your game. Look for little differences in performance and see if you can comprehend an aspect of it that you haven’t been able to before. Chances are, your exploring will bring to light a lot of new ideas. Learn to be patient and avoid getting sabotaged by your own emotions. Challenging your own comfort doesn’t have to include the skill you’re trying to progress in. Simply putting yourself in unknown or uncomfortable situations will help you grow enough to look at the world in a new way. How to improve your skills will depend on your determination to take a peek out of your security blanket!