Very interesting, but I'm not that bright, so I kept it even simpler.
I found posts from people with more experience then me who were in my area, then dived with them.
Yes, I actually watched them dive before I judged their advice. The diving skill tells everything. Then, when I saw how superior their skills were to mine, and to most of the other divers I'd seen, I started listening to them.
Hello.
I made gear changes and training changes and technique changes.
So, I saw people I wanted to dive like, and then listened to them when they posted.
Duh.