Building a Head of Steam to Succeed

One important function of training, education, and practice is to prepare not only one's skills, but one's motivation to succeed.  Seeing the way forward and seeing oneself match and surpass those who have 'made it' is equally important as developing skill.  Nothing is more intensely motivational than seeing exemplars who are succeeding well at an endeavor who possess just as much, or less skill than oneself.  It feels like a head of steam building.  One sees the competitor succeeding.  One sees their skill relative to one's own.  And a righteous indignation builds to compete with and surpass others who are currently 'making it.'

However, there is a balance to this process.  Trying to 'make it' too early will result in failures due to simple incompetence and naivety.  On the opposite extreme, avoiding failure by never trying will doom one to mediocrity and futile jealousy.  One must prepare and practice to the point of building a head of steam, but must eventually release that energy into productive work at the correct time.  To paraphrase Master Asia, victory is the confluence of strategic advantage, divine timing, and inner peace.  One should meticulously cultivate skills with humility, but not be tentative when the time comes to take the initiative and be ordained as the new exemplar.  All of these factors characterize the seasoned practitioner of any art: a master of developing one's skills and resources, biding one's time, and calmly executing one's plans when conditions are optimal for success.