When I started my carpentry apprenticeship I was working with an elderly and very experienced German carpenter. One day he said ‘I’d like to give you some advice about becoming a great finishing carpenter’. I eagerly awaited what I expected to be some pearls of wisdom re woodworking. He said "Here’s how you get really good at anything. Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, stay humble, turn up early for work every day and most importantly - don’t die’
I’ve applied this to playing Bass, it seems to be working.
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I’ve heard interview after interview after interview of gig musicians in and around NYC. In every one of them they say the #1 thing that gets you pushed up the call back lists is being on time or better yet early. Sure you have to be able to play, but lots of people can do that.
This drives me nuts in corporate America. New employees who don’t do this don’t do well. Whenever I start a new job I pretend I’m a sponge and soak up enough so I can be useful.
Also, to date….I’ve been pretty good at not dying.
When I was teaching photography I told people that the secret to being a great photographer is not shooting only great photos, it’s knowing which photos to show to people 
There was always a misconception that great photographers only shoot great photos and “1 click, I photo”. Many photographers shoot thousands of images to produce a handful of great ones. Experimenting a lot (and failing) is important if you find your style and what works for you.
Nobody worries about what happened with preparations A - G and WD 1 - 39
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Sometimes I feel like being intelligent is a curse and an impediment to succeeding in the business world lol.
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Except the test subjects they failed on.
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