Dont rush it
It has taken me 8 years to get mine down. I never pushed myself really, I took all the time in the world to learn. I probably wouldnt have gotten it down if I hadnt been making as many trips to some of the harder roads in the state(s) near me to ride. I got into SBN then , and their members and it took off from there. My riding has improved 110% since last sept. when I decided I was going to get lost in a local mountain range on a weekend getaway from the inlaws.
BUT if I hadnt been a decent rider .....decent being, I didnt try to keep up with the group , I slowed if the road was above my level, and took my time to learn the area type stuff........id have wiped out a long time ago with a few others.
Get out and ride...ride everywhere you can. wait until after you have had to deal with some situations.....ie rocks, sand, cars, animals........knowing what going in too hot really feels like, scare the shit out of yourself a few times simply by breaking..thats the stuff that will make you a better rider in the long run, not by how fast you can go, wheelies, and a knee on the ground. Make it a goal that your not rushing to get to!