At this year's SE Bash Laurence Cottle did one of the seminars. For those who don't know Laurence check out the artists he's played with and what tracks he's recorded.
He says that he practices 5-6 hours every day - and you can tell.
He plays effortlessly in all styles, note perfect, never misses a beat.
Inspirational? No! Pisssed me right off - completely demoralised.
Till that seminar I thought that I was "alright " and could hold my own.
If I'd put in the same hours practicing would I be as good? Unlikely - for me, like many others here, playing bass is a way to vent my artistic streak...if it was my job I would probably come to hate it.