One point that comes to mind here is that you are mentioning people in the top of their field. I believe we often do this and fail to recognize we are making progress in our individual efforts. Over the years I have found this to be necessary. That is to be kind to ourselves and others in our individual efforts and achievements---Recognizing that 'Rome wasn't conquered in a day.'
Absolutely so! About 10 years ago I strove to improvise jazz music like McCoy Tyner or the late Mulgrew Miller, of course not being able to do so, since they are born talents in that field. I Got discouraged and quit.
I started again last year, forgetting about emulating the top cats, just choosing the Tunes and style I'm enjoying best at the moment, and i'm actually improvising better now than before.
Rome wasn't conquered in one day, not in a week, nor in a month. the top of their fields have developed their abilities in centuries of practice so, definitely we don't want to compare our situation to theirs.
Ot better, we want to compare ourselves to the top guys as a means to gain a right perspective. It's hard to develop pride wqhen you look at the very best ones.
Whenever I coem across soem guy who emanates vibrations of pride for having made money, my mind invariably thinks about Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and the other really rich guys. N ext tiem aroudn I'm going straight to tell'em. You are not rich, you are a miserable man in comparison to Bill Gates. Maybe they'll hate me, but I'm curious to watch their reactions.