Bingo, you nailed it, Marten, all of it, imho!   I am not the best, by any stretch of the imagination, still learning, but I only compete against myself.  I've been saying that for years.  I only try to improve on what I can do myself, learn from others, and help others, if I can.  So, ya, great point.  I too am a distance from any comps, 6hrs from Seattle, so I don't bother. 

That being said, I've already mentioned in another thread how I "play to the camera", so I do intentionally attempt to control the point of view, so I won't go into that again here.  But I refer back to urumomo's comment;

Well said.

Not gonna agree with that personally, "in a box all shall fit", but I know you were just generalizing, right?  I am considered by many to be hyper, even at almost 63.  I don't sit still for nothin, never have, always been having to do something, physical or mental.  And before somebody tries to label it as ADHD, just remember, you have fallen for Big Pharma money magic with a label that makes them money, so knock that off!  It's called an expressive personality, so when I actually sit down to draw, or paint, people scratch their heads, at least those that know me personally, and wonder how I do it.  Honestly, it got my attention, that's how, HA!  Sorry, that was hyper long winded