On my previous job I wasn't allowed to use Perl, but I still used it to perform a couple of random tasks now and then, and I started contributing to CPAN, which gave me some expertise.

Reading and going to conferences was another thing that helped.

Actually, I got the organization of YAPC::EU::2005 while I was working there :-)

I guess the trick is enjoying what you do... I mean, not your job, enjoying what you're doing and where you're going with Perl :-)

My advice? If you don't have one, get a PAUSE account and start uploading :-) Also, get a user at use.perl.org and start posting there :-) Try new things! :-)