It's a process. Once you decide you want it, that's the most important step. After that, you start to read like you are doing, and learn from others. Then follows getting in shape, slowly for most of us. Lastly, one finds a job and a location flexible enough to get away for the amount of time one needs and starts to go for it.
I used to be in R&D. Now I do non profit work. The ability to control one's time is key. What you usually give up is income potential. As usual, it's all a trade off
