#4 Do a mono-type run
Pokemon is heavily based on its elemental system. Fire beats grass, grass beats water, and water beats fire. With the introduction of the new fairy type, there are now 18 possible elements individual Pokemon can subscribe to. What's more, Pokemon can have more than one type. Using a well balanced team of many different types means you'll be prepared for just about every Pokemon battle you fight. Which, of course, is a bad thing if you're looking for a steeper challenge.
Pick your favorite type, such as grass, and only use Pokemon of that typing. Those Pokemon can be dual typed–such as grass/poison–but they must carry with them the strengths and weaknesses that come from being a plant. Avoid using overpowered types, such as fighting, ground, and electric as these types have few weaknesses and many strengths.