The magic pill is play all the time.
i was just reading this interview with Vic Juris, great jazz guitarist, and he was talking about different musicians work ethics. He said he'd gone to Pat Martino's early in the day and late at night and he'd been at it the whole time with his wife slipping food in the door. Somebody was talking about Coltrane getting off the bandstand at the Village Vanguard and going and practicing the entire time between sets. It's not just "talent," but the combination of talent and a ridiculous amount of work and dedication that most of the greats seem to have.
It's amazing how doors open when you play more. I've recently had a burst of time where I've played a bunch more and suddenly things open up that just weren't available a month ago.