The first step in becoming better is understanding what better is. What are the principles you want to follow? What does your ideal look like?
You have to know where you are going if you ever want to get there.
This is the easy part.
What really matters is putting those principles into action.
This is where the real work begins. Going against your animal instincts. Conquering your inner demons with rationality and consistent practice.
A Stoic is not someone that is living perfectly according to the principles.
A Stoic is someone that is aware of his shortcomings. And is consciously and consistently taking steps towards overcoming them.
With every day that passes, a Stoic is hopefully one step closer to the ideal.
It's a lifelong learning process. Perfecting your principles, and most importantly, putting them into action.