Set a goal that you want to accomplish, to have an extra motivation to learn Perl. Good goals are: building an internet shop for your products and services; build a database with an interface to add, modify and delete users and products; create an analytical program for statistical data about your website; make and maintain a moderated discussion forum; a family photo album; a blog.

Don't take the easiest road by copy a read-to-run program internet or a complex module from CPAN. These programs and modules are not necessary the best or the most useful and not always the safest, quickest of easiest maintainable programs. For a beginner it can be very difficult to pick te jewels out of the litter.

The wheel has been invented a lot of times, but re-inventing it is very educational. Not everybody makes pretty round wheels. Or wheels with which thousands of miles can be driven.