Great game indeed, but indeed you need time : to play and learn.
If the above scares you in any way I cannot recommend the Eve University high enough, as some have done here before me and I was wise enough to follow their advice. It will bend the learning curve to a large extend. You will get courses and a mentor who will guide you through this hostile environment and get to fly in large fleets where even the newest noob can play an important role.
www.eve-ivy.com