If your goal is to create cool stuff now, you don't necessarily need to learn how to program. You can build prototypes in PowerPoint or Keynote. My partner and I built http://www.thankthanknotes.com in 8 hours using Wordpress, a pre-built template, wufoo, paypal, and almost no code.

Now, if you have a genuine interest in programming that's a different story. I do know it's taken me years to become a half-decent developer (I come from a design background). So, have some patience. What do you do now? Did it take 9 months to be come proficient? But don't let a lack of dev experience/knowledge keep you from building something cool.