You and I may have no control over the first item. But, I think, if we were to apply the other two, we could rise far higher than where we are now.
My goal is a solid 1800. I figure one more year. After that, I don't know that I want to put in the work to go higher. Maybe.
But, I have a goal and a plan. Do you?
I do think you are correct in your approach.
A goal and a plan? For Chess? Not really.
I’m at about the state SaintPaulianna described. I’m content to improve gradually, if at all. I am not completely unconcerned about winning or about ratings, but it isn’t a motivator for me. Based on what I’ve learned in this thread and the associated research, I do think I’ll modify a couple of things. I won’t stop playing Blitz, because I like Blitz, but I won’t expect it to improve my game, even a little. I do think I will stop using Tactics Trainer. It was recommended as a great training tool, but I don’t think it is.
If the truth be told, my involvement in the Chess community is more as a TD and organizer than as a player. If anyone happens to be near Detroit next weekend, and you like small, prizeless tournaments, come on up to Auburn Hills. It’s low key. It’s rated. It’s cheap.
Also, I’ve always been much more of a gamer than a Chess player. A few years ago, I started taking an interest in the abstract strategy genre. Chess is the most prominent example of that genre, but I don’t think it’s inherently superior to any number of games in that genre, and I want to continue to learn and play other games in that genre, rather than focus on getting better at one game. I play Chess instead of those other games for one reason. It’s the only game that has a substantial community of players.
So, a goal? Well, yes. My goal is to get fifty people showing up for my tournaments, and have 10 of them playing Shogi, Chess960, or some other abstract strategy game.
Just to ensure that we do not try to discount child prodigies let me mention one name here: Mozart. He was writing Classical music at an age when most of the rest of us were still trying to figure out the proper way to go to the bathroom lol.
PS: and of course he was also playing music at a World class level at that age as well.