How to become a photographer

So you have decided that you want to become a photographer. 
Now what? How do you get to a place where 
you can do what you love and get paid to do it?
Everyone has a different path
and I learned a lot while finding mine. 
I didn't go to school for this and hit some
bumps here and there but I am finally
doing what I love full-time and earning a living doing it.
Here are some tips that I learned along the way...