Here's a good, short post presenting Mikhail Botvinnik as a model of self-development from Cal Newport's always interesting "Study Hacks" blog. (Though the blog has long ago moved past its eponymous purpose.) Botvinnik's advice and approach is valuable even beyond the chess context, but even within chess circles it's underappreciated. We all know people (sometimes they can be spotted in the mirror) who are less than enthusiastic about "ruthless objectivity about [their] own strengths and weaknesses." Nevertheless, when we can bring ourselves to follow the Patriarch's advice, we will benefit.