To progress you need to decide where you want to go.
Warbirds, pattern, 3D, ect...
After you master your trainer start heading toward your goal in steps.
Example: My goal is to fly scale aircraft, primarily warbirds.
My steps:
1, Kadet Senior= learned basic flight and some mild aerobatics
2, Hobbico Brightstar= Low wing trike gear, faster and more agile than the kadet (first low wing)
3, Hanger 9 P-51 PTS= Low wing tail dragger with progressive training aids (will maiden this weekend)(first tail dragger)
4, Hanger 9 AT-6 = Low wing taildragger, larger and more powerful than the P-51, (first retracts.First 4 stroke)
(will fly when I get comfortable with the P-51)
You can see how each step gets me closer to my goal.