Hey jane123,
Just some "food for thought" from an 'ol timer and hopefully you may really find, within, if welding will be your career choice. First, dbigkahunna kinda nailed it perfectly......YES.... it is the person you see in the mirror who you must satisfy and challenge to be the best. You either want it passionately, or you don't.... it's all up to the person you see in the mirror. Those of us who have the passion to weld, never stop learning, make mistakes and learn from them, strive to become better each day, and take satisfaction when we know we can do it without hesitation or reservation. After 45 years, I still find fascination learning new techniques and solving problems. I guess it becomes the quest to satisfy the eternal hunger: "I know I can do that." Practice gives you the opportunity to evaluate your progress, decide if another method gives better results, getting the "feel" of the arc, puddle, and fusion parameters to make a superb weld. The scope of metallurgy is vast regarding thickness, grade, length, characteristics, application process best suited, ie: SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, O/A, etc., and your understanding of the process of fusion for each.
Mistakes: make them, do not fear, learn from them.
Satisfaction: Are you truly satisfied this is your best?; Can it be done better or easier?; Where is the mistake, if any?;
Personal evaluation: You must answer to only yourself and give thought regarding your true interest and desire to continue.
Emotions: You get mad? Frustrated? Feel inferior? Ready to quit? Too much to absorb?
OK.... relax. When the emotions get to the above.....STOP!!! Take a breather, cool off, call it a day, go for a drive, swim, or have a cold beer. Re- establish YOUR control and thought processes logically. Simply, just think. It will all fall into place. YOU have the reins......
Come here.... ask questions.... listen to advice.... PRACTICE! Each day gets better..... Denny