Can I really be serious???

So I want to get more serious about learning how to play and getting better. But I have a hard time sticking to things, no matter how much I want to do it. I rarely see things through to the finish. With something like music, it's always been a huge passion of mine, and there really is no finish. No matter how good you get, there's always new styles and more to learn and improve upon. I like to buy new toys, and I've realized there are a few reason why.
1.) I'm a pack rat, and I love collecting things.
2.) It renews my interest and I dig in to play with my new toy.
3.) I buy things to cheer myself up. By buying guitars and such, it makes me feel better about not being able to buy a house, or new car, big stuff like that.

I know it doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but that's part of what goes through my head. I think of any way possible to convince myself I need to get it. For example, I just bought a 5-string bass, and I'm always looking on ebay and craigslist for other guitars/basses. I'd love to have one of each kind. I justified the 5-string to myself by saying I want to learn how to play a 5-string, can't learn without having one right? Don't get me wrong, I love it, and I'm glad I bought it. But I really didn't NEED it. To be perfectly honest, I'm not good enough with 4 strings to justify buying a new bass, let alone one with an extra string.

The plus side, is number two. It has resparked my interest in playing and practicing at home. I've been playing at least a little bit every night. Trying to work on learning my scales again, and actually start getting good at playing.

I very much want to be a serious musician, one who can actually go play gigs, and be good enough to get paid for it. I want to go to an open mic night and play, instead of just listening. I want to see what it's like to stand on a stage and hear a bunch of people actually clap and bob their head to my playing. But I really lack personal motivation, I lack follow through, and I lack confidence. I know I'm getting better, but I'm FAR from being good.

I've got that odd instrument with 6-strings to work on too. Chances are, that's what I'd end up playing for an open mic night type deal. Unless I can get insanely good at bass real quick, and start composing some crazy stuff. :)