Become an excellent technician. Get to know your camera intimately. Perfect your skills, whether darkroom or digital. Practice, practice, practice.

Shoot often and a lot. Find, then follow your own vision; but it's OK to look to the work of others for ideas and inspiration on your way to discovering vision. Don't be afraid to switch gears, but don't give up on any idea or direction until you've really pushed it to its limits. To do otherwise nearly ensures that you'll never reach your goals. Don't wait as long as I did to find your passion.