Use your ears! Tab is an essential crutch for beginners, but it has to be cast aside eventually if progress is to continue. If you really want to grow as a player, you need to give yourself a good education in theory and learn how to transcribe by ear.
It may seem an intimidating task, but just take it one note at a time. When listening to the most hellishly fast/intimidating/depressing shred licks, just reach out with your ears and grab one single note. It doesn't matter which one. Rewind, find a second note. Repeat, and before you know it things will come into focus. Progress will come more quickly than you might expect. Watch lots of instructional videos - youtube is your best friend. Start to recognise the patterns. I resolved to learn absolutely everything by ear, and six months later I was operating in an entirely different musical universe!
Rock on
