Originally Posted by: maggior
...Practice is important, but you need to practice efficiently and with focus...

+1!! [U]Efficient[/U] practice is sooo important. I think it ranks as my number one tip.

Commit to a set amount of practice time and ensure each of those minutes are actual practice. My daily list of practice 'stuff' is written out in advance and includes the amount of time I want to spend on each item. Then I spend that time (or more if I run over) with hands on guitar. If the day's session is an hour then it's 60 minutes of fingers on strings. Tuning doesn't count. Bathroom breaks don't count. Waiting for GT lessons to start up doesn't count. Noodling around doesn't count.

Number two tip -- keep it fun. If you're not enjoying it, if you don't feel rewarded and motivated from your progress, then why are you doing it? Enjoy the lessons, enjoy guitar, enjoy the music.