St. Francis de Sales keeps the pedal to the metal in chapter 5 of Introduction to the Devout Life, The First Step must be Purifying the Soul. He tells us to go forward, crusading against our vices and purify the soul. Purifying the soul is a big move, but we won't make progress clinging to the wicked ways of our past. Pray for, and find a good guide, then prepare to go boldly forward towards devotion. The road is long, but the payout is everything so long as we have the courage to persevere.
"David continually asks the Lord to strengthen his heart against cowardice and discouragement; and it is our privilege in this war that we are certain to vanquish so long as we are willing to fight"