Once you can spell a "C" Chord, CEGC, and you know your fingerboard, you are then able to find "C" in a number of places. Do that with other chords. Then you can link them together and you're able to play chord progressions all over the guitar...

Rhythms? Got a problem with that? Put the guitar down for a bit and listen to DRUMMERS. Hold your pick(or just your hand,) and tap along to what they're doing.

It's like going to the gym, no pain no gain. You have to conquer the psychological barrier and begin to study the FOUNDATIONS of music...

bob