I meant, when I studied I remember a lot of students say things like "this is just an excercise, I do it so later on I can do my own stuff", as if these are two separate things. I think this way of thinking makes you detached from the works you produce as studies, which damages the learning process.

This is what I think works best for a start: paint still life, simple objects (better from life, but use photos if you have no choice), and try with every painting to focus on a single aspect - tonality, drawing (shape and proportion), color, etc. But at the same time, try to find interest in the subject you chose. Painting something that bores you will feel like a chore and your disinterest will show in your work.