Buy books written by chefs, not just cook books. The best cooks have a passion for the art that can be translated onto paper, documentaries and television shows. Get inspired for creating and enjoying food by learning what inspires other chefs.
Learn the basics. You don't need culinary school to master the art of measuring and cooking times. It simply takes learning the basics, through workshops or the introduction to cook books, and then working on experience. Don't rely completely on what the masters say. If a recipe calls for 20 minutes of baking, but you know your oven runs hot, check the food before time calls.
Remember it's about the food, not the gear used to cook it. Don't rush out and buy every expensive piece of equipment known to man. Buy what is needed to create the meal properly and build your kitchen over time. Find and use what works and what will last, but that does not always correlate to the most expensive.
Be fearless. Some of the best recipes and edible inventions are made through error. Don't be afraid to make mistakes but always learn, whether positive or negative, from them. Vary the ingredients or amounts in recipes to discover new variations that may be better than the original.