I think its a good question actually.. Here is my opinion:

1) Environment. Having the right people and drive around you striving for the same goal has a positive impact on your own actions. Makes you more motivated to do stuff (at least for me)

2) Make less mistakes. I made a ton of mistakes the last couple of years and I am now VERY receptive to not learning things the hard way.

In the event that I did not, the plan was to get a regular 9-5 job and devote nights and weekends to improve my technical chops.

There are many ways to do this but having a mentor or a right environment to do it certainly helps an already difficult journey.