So what should you do? How should you practice?

First, learn some tunes so you can work out this ideas in a musical situation. Modal tunes are nice, but don't forget standards- more chords to play, but wonderful. (there's a reason they are standards. transpose each progression, and play them in every key- by ear optimally, or write them out if you need to. Examine alternate ideas for each minor 7th chord- alternate rhythms and fingerings...