Been playing for about 18 years now, wasted the first 8 playing scale runs over and over and trying to play as fast as possible - sounded terrible and never improved. Took a break for about 5 years when I was abroad, then started playing again about 5 years ago and am better now than I ever was. I deliberately avoid theory now at all costs and never ever practice scales or stock runs. The only practice I do is in trying to work out the solos that are in my head. I decided to forget trying to understand the fretboard and focus on developing my ear and to start creating music - I never went anywhere trying to play someone elses music. If all else fails then give this method a try for a month - I think you will notice playing guitar becomes a lot more enjoyable and you will start playing much more interesting music. Take away the rules and let your imagination take over - work out what's in your head and practice playing that. Give it a go, the worst that can happen is you will have tried somthing new and taken a break from scales for a while.