Today while talking with a co-worker today we were talking about how more years of experience doesn't necessarily translate into proficiency in the software industry. We came up with the analogy that software development is a lot like sports when it comes to the experience factor. I have been playing hockey since I was 4 years old, which by my math makes me have 23 years experience playing hockey. What that doesn't translate into is a job in the NHL, if you put me on the ice against Alex Ovechkin he would embarrass me.

So why is Alex Ovechkin better than me? Besides natural skill, I would bet that he worked a lot harder and practiced harder than me. His passion for the game is a lot higher than my own. You often hear older hockey players being interviewed and stating the fact that "the game has changed since I last played". It is the same thing in software development, new technologies have come out that have changed the game but you can still be great by practicing the fundamentals.