So.

[sparky314]

I think most people fail due to an under estimation of required study, and not putting in enough consistent work.

I'm a bit obsessive. I know I have a very aggressive plan myself (3 dan in 3 years? And I'm only 7 kyu? What am I thinking? Though, I'd be happy with just 2 dan in 3 years...3 dan will push me harder). For those who are obsessive and put in the work, amateur dan seems achievable in a couple of years. 1 year to dan is difficult, and more time than I have to commit sadly (work, life, family, etc), but for those who are willing to study every day (2 hours a day), its definitely a reachable goal. Of course, there's right study and wrong study, but that's an entirely different conversation.

As far as going pro, a big part of that is time investment (and indirectly, age). Most professionals (in all fields) spend 4 yrs at a University. Then the first 2-4 years on the job, they're still learning new things (I'm in IT, its been 8 years, and I'll be learning new things until I retire). Ph.D. requires 8 years, and they're highly specialized - something more akin to Go professionals. To those who seriously consider Go as professionals, my guess is you'd need to study for 40+ hours a week for a minimum of 4 years...and then you'll come close. There are exceptions to the rule, but in general, it requires work, and treating it like school or a full time job. (I'm ignoring the argument that most people may not need 4 years of study, and not all of that study is dedicated to one goal, but for Ph.D. students, it is dedicated to a single field for 4 years.)

[Javaness2]

I think that generally it is logical to set yourself goals that are too high. If you set the bar low, you are not really motivating yourself.
My first goal was to make 15 kyu, and from my knowledge of the game at the time, I felt that this was a level were you understood, or appreciated, the basics of the game. My initial aim was really just to learn how to play the game - and my second target was significantly higher. Nowadays, I don't have any ambitions regarding getting stronger.

[wineandgolover]

Nowadays, I don't have any ambitions regarding getting stronger.

Why? You are still young.

[Javaness2]

Well, maybe one day I will regain some ambition in this department, but for now it is simply a question of time when at the moment Life has other priorities. It really isn't that simple for me to go beyond my current rank (or even maintain it), indeed maybe I already reached my peak? Where would I find the time to study, train, travel and play... I suppose i could give up going to the bathroom.

[FredV]

I suppose i could give up going to the bathroom.

Nono, that is where you put the Go Book you are reading.

[Bonobo]

I suppose i could give up going to the bathroom.

Nono, that is where you put the Go Book you are reading.

LOL, that’s what I do — but then there currently are many other books which I find more important to read.

[daal]

I suppose i could give up going to the bathroom.

Nono, that is where you put the Go Book you are reading.

LOL, that’s what I do — but then there currently are many other books which I find more important to read.

They must be pretty important if you read them on the toilet.

Looks like this thread is going down the tubes!

[Stefany93]

Hey, I am here too! Score!

[Krama]

Let me ask all of you who wish to reach x-dan level.

What is the difference between a 3 dan player and a 2 dan player? What knowledge does one possess and the other doesn't?

If you can't really answer then you probably realize how silly is to try and reach a specific level.

[skydyr]

Let me ask all of you who wish to reach x-dan level.

What is the difference between a 3 dan player and a 2 dan player? What knowledge does one possess and the other doesn't?

If you can't really answer then you probably realize how silly is to try and reach a specific level.

Hold on... just because a specific person is unable to explicitly quantify the difference between two things, that doesn't mean that there is no difference, or that it is pointless to desire one over the other.

More tongue in cheek, the specific knowledge is how to beat a 2-dan fairly consistently

[Knotwilg]

Let me ask all of you who wish to reach x-dan level.

What is the difference between a 3 dan player and a 2 dan player? What knowledge does one possess and the other doesn't?

If you can't really answer then you probably realize how silly is to try and reach a specific level.

I'm sure those who aspire to become 2d will be very happy to reach 3d and those who aim for 3d will only be mildly disappointed when they cannot get beyond 2d. Every goal comes with a degree of uncertainty. Most of us know we'll never make it pro while we know there must be room for improvement.

[Bantari]

Let me ask all of you who wish to reach x-dan level.

What is the difference between a 3 dan player and a 2 dan player? What knowledge does one possess and the other doesn't?

If you can't really answer then you probably realize how silly is to try and reach a specific level.

Its like saying: if you don't know the difference between for-loop and while-loop, you should not be trying to become a software engineer.
Truth is - everybody has to start somewhere, and everybody has goals, like it or not. The trick is to learn what you need to reach the goal. You seem to expect they need to know it up front, but in this case - they are already there. So I don't really get what you trying to say.

Btw - I am 4-5d, and I don't think I really know the difference between 2d and 3d other than I give 2d 3 stones and 3d 2 stones. Is this a difference you mean?

[Uberdude]

Feeling left out, I'll make a public goal:

British Champion within 5 years.

Of course I'll try to do it sooner

Mission accomplished! I won the 2015 British Go Championship today. In under 3 years.

[jeromie]

Feeling left out, I'll make a public goal:

British Champion within 5 years.

Of course I'll try to do it sooner

Mission accomplished! I won the 2015 British Go Championship today. In under 3 years.

Congratulations!

[Fedya]

So you've qualified for the next WAGC?