hello,
my preferred first steps aiming to climb that learning curve is always the cookbook approach.

Perl Cookbook is a little outdated but still valid, shows you many many things you can do with Perl and explains very well what's going on.

Then, considering we are incredibly in 2014, be sure to read Modern Perl by chromatic a free and invaluable book covering all major subjects and all shadows of this wonderful language.

Do not understimate what Anonymous Monk said: if you have a goal things are gonna be better..

HtH
L*