I heard this story on a radio show about famous composers, and it really struck a chord with me.

Henry Mancini recalled being passed by David Rose in one of his tugs as Mancini was sailing his own boat out of Los Angeles harbour. Rose was sitting in the back, sipping a glass of champagne.
With a satisfied grin on his face, he yelled over to Mancini, "Hank--aren't you glad you practised?"

Every step we take along our chosen path should take us closer to perfecting our art.