dvcochran
Grandmaster
Man oh man do I love this post. It speaks volumes to the degree it takes to acquire something of value.Photon, I just went back to re-read the OP quoted above and here's my 2 cents:
I was was in a similar situation several years ago. it had been a while since I'd been promoted and I was concerned. However, unlike you, I do not have much difficulty talking to my instructor. At a quiet time, I pulled him aside and told him that I was quite serious about furthering my training and would appreciate it if he would give me any suggestions about what I could do to reach the next level. He wasn't offended at all and told me that he would keep it in mind.
A few more years passed and last year (Summer 2018) I tested and earned my next rank. Although it took me a total of 32 years to move up a rank , it only took me barely ten or eleven years training with him to get promoted, and only three more years after our conversation!
So you see, a simple conversation, some hard work, and I'm sure you too can get promoted within 10 -30 years. So why all the worry?