I always wanted to compete. Mostly because I always wanted to shoot, and hunting alone didn't get it done. Tried in college, shooting coach didn't want to fool with me, Army National Guard had a high power team, I pestered them for months to let me tryout, and made the team. Then came budget cuts and a family, so I was out for about 15 years. Bought a pistol I didn't need, so I had to shoot matches to justify it. Found Boomershooter, and you guys completely wiped out my savings because I had to try 3 gun. Not to mention my kids wanting to shoot as well. So, I was driven to compete. Eventhough intellectually I know I suck, I still think I'm going to win every match I enter, (probably a diagnosis for this mindset). But, my pitfalls were like Jesse alluded to. Time, money, knowledge. I didn't have any fear to compete, because I have no shame. But even though I was driven, had my life situation not had a drastic change, I probably wouldn't be here. So, I think for a lot of folks, where they are in life dictates where they spend their time and dollars. I'll even take it a step further, and say many of the youth introduced will fade out, not to return until their lives are more settled.
As an aside, I must say I really appreciated not getting snarky replies suggesting I use the search function for my noob questions. Smartass replies are always fun though. ;-)