If the title of this post attracted your attention, I recommend checking out this episode of the Freakonomics podcast of the same name.
My biggest takeaway from listening to the episode was this quote from Bob Fisher on the importance of deliberate practice:
Instead of just practicing, you are focused; you’re engaged; it’s like a rubber band. You are constantly stretching the rubber band, and you don’t want to stretch it to the point that it breaks, but you want it to have continual pressure. In other words, you want to try and do things that you are not able to do at the present time.
If you want to get good at anything it takes a lot of focused practice. Practice that is directed on things just beyond your current level of ability. Start with one thing you want to improve at, and find a way of breaking it down into smaller, easier pieces.
Here's Bob Fisher again:
People who continue to get better never allow themselves to go on automatic pilot; they’re continually breaking down the element they are trying to do and working on pieces and then putting it back together.
So whatever you're planning on improving at in 2017, bear this in mind.
Listen: "How to Become Great at Just About Anything" by Freakonomics Radio