Hard Work is Patience

A Zen Koan.

A student approached his mentor and asked in earnest — "I'm devoted to studying your process. How long will it take me to master it?"

The teacher replied right away — "10 years."

The student, impatient, replied — "that's too long, I want to master it right away. I will work very hard and practice 10 hours everyday, how long will it take me then?"

The teacher paused for a moment before answering — "20 years."