Practice
The more you practice, the better you will become.
If you have doubts, speak with your instructor about them and get them resolved. Practice and clearing your doubts will build your confidence. If need be, when someone else is flying, you can sit in the back seat and observe.
Sincerity
Flying is a skill; some may take longer to master it, while it may come very naturally to a few. Irrespective of how fast or slow you learn, you have to be sincere in your approach. Fly almost every day for about an hour and a half. Your instructor will have a plan for the flight, follow it religiously. Don't skip lessons. Lessons will depend on several factors and don't compare your progress with other students.
Briefings and Ground Lessons
Get a thorough preflight and post-flight ground instruction. Preflight briefings will help you get warmed up for what is coming ahead on that particular flight lesson. Post-flight will help to prepare for your next session and on areas of improvement. Take feedback seriously and go back to improving your weak areas.
Chair Flying
Sit on a chair with a pen in your hand as the yoke, and fly the procedures mentally. Talk to yourself while simultaneously performing actions and following checklists. Ask me more about this.
Check the Checklist
Using your checklist is the best thing you could learn in your initial flying lessons. Following appropriate checklist assures you that all the essential items have been carried out and you can focus on your flying.
Keep Calm and Fly High
Our minds aren't used to the aerial dimension of being lifted in the air and managing a 2000 kg machine. Things can get panicky, and you can make mistakes. Anxiety also leads to tensed muscles and unstable hands. Staying relaxed keeps your focus on the desired task.
Sleep Well
Lack of sleep, i.e. fatigue causes slower reaction time, impaired concentration and poor decision making. It also affects brain functions, like depth perception and can also be a hazard during the approach to landing.
Learn Go-arounds / Emergencies
Be proficient in handling go-arounds. Nothing is embarrassing about go-arounds. Practice with your instructor till you are skilled enough and feel confident in transitioning from an approach or landing configuration to the climb phase.
Record Your Flights and Instruction Using an Action Camera
Invest in a decent action camera like a GoPro or similar one. You can find some here or here and record your flights along with the instruction. Review the video when you're back home and work on your shortcomings.
Resources
Lastly, use a lot of external resources like reference books, online videos and simulators. Join the WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program
I would love to hear from you if you have used these or any other techniques.
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