I recently had an extremely earnest guitar student ask me that very question, and to be honest, it's not the first time I have been asked that.
I have had a lot of time to think about this and to observe what works and what doesn't over 35 years of studying. Now, I am not a well known guitarist. Far from it. I have been in bands, I have played classical concerts on my own and do many weddings, I have recorded an album of original songs plus lots of other stuff and to be honest, the thing that floats my boat is theory. I love modes and weird sounding, mind expanding music. And the Beatles. In fact, I have published a unique book on music theory that uses a mathematical approach, one that mimics how sound works in the natural world. And I have three more books coming out this year.
Now, my point is, I am not interested in fame, or even playing for anyone other than myself and so my answer to the question at the top of this post may surprise you as much as my student (and his parents).
Get rid of your tv. That's it. I am 51 and still don't have one. You know the Pink Floyd line, No-one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun? Well the race has already started, and if you didn't notice yet, the clock is ticking.
If you want to get good, I mean the best that you can possibly be with no regrets, as a professional guitarist, that race started when you picked up the guitar for the very first time.
I know its good to watch things from time to time, but face the fact: Those three hours you spend every evening watching other people entertain you could have been spent entertaining, and educating yourself. No bones about it.
So my advice is, to all the budding guitarists out there, turn off the tv, better still get rid of it, and tippity top, well I think you get my point. Oh, my book is available here: https://www.bedwellmusic.co.uk/general-7
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