im just going to leave this here...
*edit: ah, seriously though... the most important thing that i have found is to find a group of people that share your musical interest and just DO IT: play shows, send stuff out and take risks. sounds retarded, i know, but everybody that becomes successful does so by different ways. the only thing that is similar is that they worked hard at it and didn't give up on it. figure out what works for you.
*edit 2: also- CDK is right, hard work is everything, but connections are everything else. but the "connection" thats going to matter isnt some business man in a suit, its some random kid who likes your music that may know some dude at the radio station, or newspaper, or whatever. make friends! talk to people!
good luck