[blue_box]

> “Sometimes motivation, wanting something, is a lot more important than having the real skill,” Wozniak said.

[duxup]

I think technically inclined folks are so inclined to think about skills they miss that aspect sometimes (including me).

A local football coach was giving a talk and said "a lot of people want things, but very few people are willing to do what it takes".

The message was that the opportunities are out there, and it might be surprising how few people are reaching for it / doing what it takes to get it so quit worrying about imaginary "better" folks who likely aren't even trying.

The older I get the more I realize that's true.

[hnthrowaway0315]

Long term motivation is a very, very rare characteristics. I'd say it is almost born or influenced by childhood experience, not grown.

[svantana]

Artist Jenny Holzer wrote in 1999: "Monomania is a prerequisite of success", that quote has stuck with me. Most people (myself included) get distracted and change focus easily, which I think is healthy, but being long-term obsessed probably helps your chances of being really successful in late capitalism.

[hnthrowaway0315]

Indeed. Sometimes I do hope that I have certain kind of characteristics that boost focus. Maybe even a mental illness can fit the bill.

[wilkommen]

I never thought about it like this. This really helped me, thanks.

[moltke]

This is an understatement really. Motivation is everything and skill is just a side effect of that.