Most effective study methods to improve your chess before hiring a coach...

Hello all,

My name is Sal and I have made steady chess progress since becoming a member.Like many of you out there I'm very committed to improving in this awsome game. 

I know basic fundamentals of improving and would like to gather insight from other players on most effective study methods to improve your chess before hiring a coach..?

Its always intriguing to see the various methods we all use and appreciate all responses irregardless of rating.

Im certain all players can benefit and thank you in advance for your post.

Study your own games.

Can you please elaborate... and would you reccomend studying live play, turn based and which most effective time controls to study....???

I analyze all my games, both by myself and with stockfish. I do a little tactics trainer and whiz through The Week In Chess weekly download as Silman recommends (spending no more than a minute per game). I've thought about getting a coach already but it's hard for me to justify spending too much on a game.

Long time control would be better to go over. Live or blitz won't learn much from them except to see if you been missing any easy tactics

coaches are the best... otherwise id say do 40 hours of tactics trainer and youll hit 1500

I strongly agree....but what most effective study methods to improve your chess before hiring a coach..?

Do you have a coach and what basic improvements have made since attaining one...???