Most Efficient Way to Improve

Hi all,

As I'm playing zillions of Blitz here, I've been marinating on my successes and failures and I think I found the "Holy Grail" on how to most efficiently improve one's chess game (anyone under expert): master TACTICS.

I'm probably going to get some flacks here from some other schools of thought, i.e., shoring up on openings, end games, strategy, etc., but it seems to me it is your TACTICS ability that is the singular most important component to the outcome then anything else.  To me, you will go in circles and not significantly improve your game if you have not mastered tactics.  (I think there are about a dozen tactical themes and I personally have not mastered them.  I need to!)  No other game format like Blitz, amplifies deficiencies in this area.  When you're playing Blitz and especially even faster time controls, bullet for example, you are not really utilizing "deep thought" and strategical thinking required of regular or slower time controls.  No real calculations, or strategy is practically implemented because you simply have no time.

I'm just a lowly 1300-1500 USCF level player, but here's my word of advice if you're wondering how to most efficiently improve your game:  Concentrate on mastering all tactical themes first and you'll be on your way to literally becoming a Master.  You probably heard, "chess is 99% tactics".  What are your thoughts?

blowing my mind here

I think this is a pretty much universally agreed on advice. But don't let me stop your epiphany.