how to go fast

Relatively new to the sport and even after a few years I am painfully slow and hesitant. To those of you who can make it down a trail without braking more or less the whole way down - what was your breakthrough? Was it learning a specific technique, watching a video, or a shift in mindset? How do you close the gap between getting down in control and getting down fast with style?

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Edit: thanks all, this has been very helpful. Lot's to work on!