The searching of a teacher for me started 2 years ago. It was an advice from the man that taught me how to paint digitally. For now, I have no success. But I'm doing my best. Not missing opportunities is the thing that pushes us forward.
It's just a misunderstanding of the word, for some reason people are losing the idea that work is the reason why we are where we stand... I don't know. Even younger artists than me slack hard, Trying to go around the raindrops and not get wet in the process.
I've met an "artist" like that yesterday and got really angry at him, he is a musician and while we were talking he shared with me that he does not know why he does not get what he wants from what he does. I asked him- how much time you spend practicing a day? His answer- 2 to 3 hours a week... Tried to explain to him that this is not the way but he was repeating some sort of excuse... I've got my beer and went to the bar.
Guessing there will always be people like that.
Well, I have to admit I was kind of like that until recently. I did put effort in, but not as much as was needed. Also changing my technique helped. It was after researching "success" in many different fields that I started to discover a repeating pattern. All self made successful people work their arses off and don't stop. It might mean sacrificing some things in your life to achieve it, but that's why we are fascinated with such people; they go the extra miles that most are not willing to do.
Yes, there will always be a majority of people who only do enough, that's the 99%. The 1% are those who do excess of enough.
Recently I found a book that opened my eyes even more about what is efficient practice, and how to apply it no matter where. It's called the "Talent Code" by Daniel Coyle". That might be interesting for you to check.
Thanks, I'll investigate.