How to become a better chess player ?

Anyone can try their hand at a chess game, but it takes a bit more effort to become a good chess player.

Tell me about it.  I've been playing for almost 40 years and I still stink. 

To become a better chess player you must know what mistakes you are making and then improve by not making the same mistakes over and over again.

Most players do not know what mistakes they are making and this is why they do not improve very much.

I would advise to find a high ranked player to teach you what mistakes you are making and how to avoid the mistakes.

There are many tools to help you improve other than learning from your mistakes.

You know it is the same in duplicate bridge. Players get stuck at one level and it is because they make the same mistakes hand after hand and tournament after tournament and do not realize they are making mistakes or how to correct them.

Duplicate bridge is a lot easier than chess but the idea of knowing your mistakes and then avoiding your mistakes will increase almost anyone's playing ability.

It is my estimate that a player on chess.com who is willing to learn what mistakes he/she is making and is also willing to try not to repeat these mistakes could see a rise in this rating for slow games of 200 points the first year and about 150 points the second year.  

This assumes the player is also willing to use the other resources here at chess.com. [I refer to any player rated 1500 or below]

So, if you are stuck at one rating for years--a word to the wise...