Its pretty much like anything else. Think about what you would like to achieve.

Invest something of yourself in it. Start off with a new guitar. The old one is associated with failure in our mind. The dollars spent say to you - I better make this work.

If there is a tuition dvd of the style that will stretch you. Look for the easiest and offers the first leg up,   rather than the best. Have a chat with someone who is somewhere down the line towards where you want to be. if he says you need a different guitar, start again.

Its all about determination to do whatever is necessary. Have a look at the guys who where you want to be. Take on board what it has cost them to be what they are, and then give it your best shot.

If you work hard at it, and get lucky - you end up, not where the other guys are - but somewhere that's good for you.