Your first post (and this one) were eye-opening for me, and I wanted to thank you for offering a dose of reality from the other side of the pond. For years, I'

Your first post (and this one) were eye-opening for me, and I wanted to thank you for offering a dose of reality from the other side of the pond. For years, I've heard musings among Americans that suggest motivational speeches do more harm than good to those present. I've often wondered how true that is, because the other side of the coin seems just as detrimental--if not more so--to young, impressionable minds. More importantly, though, I think you're absolutely right: It's experience that's the real teacher, not some bloviating figurehead whose speech will be forgotten before the end of the day. If someone's not cut out for it, no amount of (de)motivation will help. Sink or swim. Cheers, my friend.