Rule 1
Rule 1: Don't let anything stop you from doing the thing you want to learn.
All other Rules are subservient to Rule 1. If any other rule stops you from following Rule 1, ignore them.
I'm writing this for myself. So, if you disagree, just create your own set of rules (or not) and follow them. These are for myself. I'm learning to draw - the journey might stop after a month, or keep going for a year, or the rest of my life. I don't know. But I'll use these rules to stay focused.
Rule 2: Start at the start, learn to use the tools before you really get started learning the skills.
Rule 3: Learn the foundations if you want to save time.
Rule 4: Learn off of other's work. Study other's work, and even copying the parts you're not learning to save time is acceptable.
Rule 5: References (specifically referring to drawing) is mandatory. Pose, style, colors, whatever. Required.
Rule 6: Reflect. Look at what you've made and learn something new from it. What will you change next time?
But most importantly: Rule 1.