[Zeke]

I've thought about this a lot during my adult life. IDT it's necessarily a set amount of hours but simply unequivocal dedication. That does translate into 1000's of hours and concentrated at an early age at that.

I used to think I could be a professional something and it turned out I became a carpenter by happenstance. Since I seemed to be accumulated to the trade I kept up with it because it was fun at the same time. Time brought better skills and ability.

Some other things I could have been very good at if I stayed in the game.

Body and paint work (I do well for one who has never worked in a shop). I hand shaped metal at one point. I might have made it to a top restoration shop with dedication. That was before shoulder replacement. Like Seahawk, once you're physically worn out, you're done.

Welder (I had the chops but never put in the hours and welding is not like getting back on a bicycle after 20 years). Pretty much the same with all the metal trades; welding is the one that takes a lot of practice and time behind the torch. And say with it.

Marketing and advertising (I came from a family of these kinds but I didn't pursue the education offered to me). I still have a lot of fun thinking up M & A schemes. I think it's in my blood.

Sports: this category is something else. I think IF you start with an innate ability and capitalize on it to the point of sacrifice, you may get good enough to make some money at it. Maybe instructing is as far as you'll ever get, but to me that's a level of achievement not seen by thousands who once thought they could be pros.

I played some sports but it was clear to me that most had more innate ability than I. that would have been a waste of a life had I gone down that road. My stepson had the native talent to play golf and he definitely could have played at the college level, but he didn't have the dedication. When he played a lot he could be a >10 handicap with little effort. He just has the swing.


I totally agree that time and dedication to an endeavor that you have a passion for and are dedicated will bring the fruits of success. Some will rise to the top. Others will be great contributors. Few dedicated souls will fail.