Depending on how good you want to get, the most important thing is not to kill your enjoyment of playing the game. If you find yourself to consumed by practice and no longer look forward to playing the game, then your practicing way to much. And you will find yourself burned out it will be hard to maintain your goal of becoming a better player. When playing by yourself, try breaking up your routine. Develop a strategy of working on different techniques, changing it up a bit. Practicing by yourself is the best idea as you will be able to hit hundreds of more balls and master many more shots.  Shoot every shot like you are serious about making it. Do not ever practice by goofing around or free wheeling it half paying attention. This is practicing missing balls not making them which has an equally negative affect on your game.

Glasses and your game

To breath or not to breath

Breaking in 9 ball

Different Tables

Perfect Practice