What Drives an Individual to be the Best?

What Drives an Individual to be the Best? I ask that question frequently.  It is the difference between a job and a profession.  I think I can sum it up in one word and one example.

The word is passion.

The example is on Sunday night are you dreading Monday or looking forward to Monday?  

Today I read an excellent article in Bloomberg BusinessWeek by Ted Genoways.  It is titled "Patrón Made Tequila Top-Shelf. Will Bacardi Dilute It?"

It is about Master distiller Francisco Alcaraz.  This is a long article and the pics are great.  I draw your attention to one paragraph in the article about Mr. Alcaraz:

"After two years, Núñez got him a job as production manager at El Viejito. Alcaraz set up a cot in the still room and slept there so he could learn the sounds of the copper pots and coils through every stage of distillation. "

Think about that for a moment. Do you know anyone who would do that?  I know very few people who would. 

But I do know people who work longer hours.  More importantly these individuals undertake activities off hours that demonstrate I am in a profession as opposed to a job. For example, I read several business magazines each week.  And I watch business shows.  It is part of my study and continued education in my career.  I am sure those of you who are in a profession (as opposed to a job) take similar actions. In other words, we are professionals rather than employees.  

The article is a very good read.  If you like Tequila, then it is a double winner.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-07-31/patr-n-made-tequila-top-shelf-will-bacardi-dilute-it