What is the most important thing a turner needs to take with him when he
goes out to the lathe?

Hi Ray,

Nice thought provoking post.

I think the answer would be that there would be as many answers as there are
turners.
To the professional, it could be to organize the time in a way to make it
profitable.
To me, as a hobby turner, it is to enjoy the experience.
To the vast majority of turners who fall somewhere between those extremes,
it could be any combination of the answers already posted.

Ron Robinson
East Texas