1. go to lynda.com and see the tutorials for the software you want to work with.
2. have at least 20 design blogs in your rss reader
3. look at art offline: the street, your daughter's drawing book, your wife's ear rings, art albums, museums, etc.
4. a friend of mine that has a masters in fashion design told me: 'never let your hand free from paper', doodle as much as you can, about anything
5. relax your mind
6. do a couple of projects for free, to get the hang of it.
I'll think of more tips
and I'll get back to you.