So how do I improve my play?

Hello there chess.com community,

I've recently picked up chess and with that, I also figured that I want to get into it a bit deeper than before. By that, I mean improving how I play. I'm not exactly great, although I know the basics and I can do a few simple combinations already I find myself unable to progress. I've played quite a few games against the computer in Chessmaster; I can usually beat a ~1300 opponent while I'm struggling with the 1400-1500 ones already. I've also played against humans, but I can't really gauge my skills based on that esp. since I haven't played much on chess.com so far.

Anyway, there are a few things I want to improve. For one, I often have trouble simply because I make blunders - smaller or bigger. Sometimes I have a perfectly good position only to make one bad move, screwing up my whole game. How can I train myself to avoid these? Is there any method, even? The other one is that I want to be better at long-term strategy. Often I find myself occupying the center, or doubling the rooks on a file, or winning another such tactical victory, and then wonder, "What now?" Simply put, I can only look ahead a few moves or so and usually take opportunities as they come, and this annoys me. I know I'm not great yet, but I feel like I should be able to devise long-term plans better.

So, can anyone give me some pointers on how to improve in these fields? Thank you very much in advance.

EDIT: Oh yeah, I play the standard, long games, not blitzes.

Ok, what we need to do is become friends then we can talk things over.  And indeed I do now a way you can get better.

Thanks, that's appreciated. I'm gonna log on later, then we can talk.

Practice.  Practice.  Practice.

I focus on not making misteaks.

I just sent you a challenge to play a "Takeback" game, which is an unrated game in which you can take back moves.

During a game of this type, it's easy enough to give friendly advice and feedback.

Based on your original post, I should be able to give you a fair challenge, although I make mistakes myself.

Or committing blinders.