Long time lurker. I've finished up enough schooling to become a mediocre programmer. What I mean is I've learned enough C and done enough labs like implementing a paging algorithm or building a socket to be considered a mediocre programmer.
I want to take it to the next level though. I have plenty of ideas that I think up of where I'm like "why can't I just write software to do this, it'll be much easier". However, every time I sit down and try to learn MVC or django or iOS to implement my ideas I usually get stuck and flail and call it quits. Kind of a shame, I know, but I need some advice on HOW it's done. What resources or books do you use to go from someone who can do some kinda cool stuff to really cool stuff? I'm looking for that jump from amateur programmer to someone who can build a web app after a good few months.
What resources have you used to get there?