Build a good base before going for 'big',
Improving cardiovascular fitness will help you somewhat to improve in lifting,
Strong core muslces are neccessary for progress with bench and pretty much every other major lift,
You need balance, aim for improvement in all areas and look at your succcess as a whole,
If your back isn't at the same level as your chest your going to have difficulty moving your chest up to the next (two levels higher) than your back.
Bodybuilding success is buillt upon knowledge, sleep/rest, nutrition, and exercise.
If you're working out several days a week then experiment with taking one week off (rest) every three weeks and see if it helps in the long run. Perhaps it gives your body time to relax and grow the best it can without inducing daily micro-tears
Don't train to failure or do 1 rep max's unless you have a strong, trustworthy spotter.