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Summary of the text: "How to herd a heard of nerds?"
Now it's an article for the Narutos of the world. Guess a good number of people think they're stupid. I think both sides are wrong.
“Most people who are talented or smart are scared of doing things” I have noticed this a lot in my career, I think it’s because these people self identify as smart/talented and every time you attempt some task, there is the possibility of failure - and for the “smart” person, failing at a task takes a stab at the heart of their identity. Self cushioning in a cloud of rationales “well, I can’t do X but at least I’m sm…
Yes, I see it much the same way. If you're curious, I wrote about a related theme a few years ago here [1].
> When the work is uncertain, she withers: uncertainty means the unknown, which means risk, which means failure, which means she's worthless. The thought of fumbling in the void terrifies her.
I think the writer just suffers a huge case of imposter syndrome! Most seemingly 'smart' and 'talented' people are just people who know that 'Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard'
“Most people who are talented or smart are scared of doing things” I have noticed this a lot in my career, I think it’s because these people self identify as smart/talented and every time you attempt some task, there is the possibility of failure - and for the “smart” person, failing at a task takes a stab at the heart of their identity. Self cushioning in a cloud of rationales “well, I can’t do X but at least I’m sm…
As one of those 'naturally smart' types, part of the trouble there for me is that everything is easy right up until it isn't. I was well into college before I ever had to actually study or prepare or do second drafts on anything at all to succeed, and for obvious reasons I sucked at it and crashed and burned completely with several subjects before I got any kind of grip on things.
The bad news is that you may have been too early for that. Well, and also that I’m not sure how effective efforts to address it have actually been.
I'd add only one thing: Be the person that solves problems. Employers want people that can solve their problems. they may not even care how it gets solved... as long as they problem they have will get solved so they can move forward. Often this takes talent and skill, but in my live I've found that sheer bloody minded persistence and doing things the hard way will often be exactly what is needed and appreciated.
Some of the author's other articles are worth reading as well. I read them instead of focusing on work and 100% don't regret it.
Thanks for the rec!
I'd add only one thing: Be the person that solves problems. Employers want people that can solve their problems. they may not even care how it gets solved... as long as they problem they have will get solved so they can move forward. Often this takes talent and skill, but in my live I've found that sheer bloody minded persistence and doing things the hard way will often be exactly what is needed and appreciated.