I am a firm believer that having your own style is key. "Less Is More" is one of my favorite mottos; "Every note is priceless, so spend them wisely".  I hate guitarists who show off or are too flashy. I can not express enough for the need for musical influences.  I spent a full two years doing what I call "Influence Months".    Each month I would take a style of music and listen to nothing but that everyday for a whole month - Classical, Rock, POP, Dance, Funk, Raggae and Heavy Metal just to name a few.  You would not believe what you get out of doing this.