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[Skeyser]

I think OP just as above average capacity of picking up the basis of things, but since he's not willing to put in work, anyone who puts a bit of effort into it end up being much more proficient at it.

 

[ccbfan]

Sounds like your definition of "too good" is not too good.

 

[Red]

In high school, I often placed myself in groups of kids who were not good at things. So it made me look better by comparison. I was placed into advanced classes but opted for remedial ones. Looking good by comparison was never the primary goal, just a little something extra after my desire to Not Do Things.

I also avoided things I wasn't good at, so I could say I was good at everything I did. I should have said I was good at everything I enjoyed doing. But maybe it was that I only enjoyed things I was good at.

 

[Joe Molotov]

OP once defeated Chuck Norris in a roundhouse kick fight and the result of this fight was The Big Bang.

 

[megatronium]

My problem is I'm good at too much and great at nothing. Jack of all trades.

Is this what you meant op?

 

[Always-honest]

I hear you. Pick the things you like most and force yourself to focus on just those things.
Don't limit yourself to just one thing though.

It's great that you always have some extra to give. But it's also great to see where it leads when you give it your all.

 

[DemiMatt]

In early highschool we'd often walk home. Most of the time talking about fighting games, and who our new teams were, tech etc. Other kids would join in on the conversation and mention that they are the best at MvC2 and they could beat us. We'd invite them over and destroy their Guile based teams.

Jack of all trades & master of non.

 

[rashbeep]

I'd wager that you are "competent" at these things at best. You're not going to be "too good" at anything if you are not willing to put in any work in.

 

[Jeronimo Jones]

If you aren't a multimillionaire 2-sport professional athlete, who is also a successful artist or musician, then you may have miscalculated your proficiency at these things... or at least the other things you would need to master to become successful in any one of them like patience, persistence, self motivation.

 

[MisterRoboto]

Activities coming easy to you is not the same as being good at something. I have a feeling everything you think you're good at, in reality, you are below average.

 

[Nickle]

Gears of War 2 is his favorite game.

 

[Alienous]

I think OP just as above average capacity of picking up the basis of things, but since he's not willing to put in work, anyone who puts a bit of effort into it end up being much more proficient at it.

As was in a video Entrement linked earlier in the thread past the point of being better than people because of an innate confidence ("I'm the sort of person who picks things up easily") you can't give up on tasks that require hard work.

I've had similar experiences to the OP. Early in school it was probably just seeing an older brother go through subjects before I did, and being born in December as opposed to June or something (thus being more mature). But that can easily be misconstrued as a 'gift'. I've often been told I'm "gifted, but lazy". Yeah, that isn't how that works. Past the point of relative mediocrity not being lazy is where everything counts.

So, OP, don't hang your hat on your earlier successes. If you draw like a professional artist and have barely made an effort to learn then sure, you're gifted, the first of our kind. But if you are like everyone else, which you probably are, you'll need to get rid of this notion of being 'Too good at things'. If you give up when you reach obstacles that seem beyond you, you can't be.

Meditate on this. You know it to be true.

Activities coming easy to you is not the same as being good at something. I have a feeling everything you think you're good at, in reality, you are below average.

Being bad enough at something to not know how bad you are at it is a thing. In the early days of programming I'd pat myself on the back for writing a For loop. "That wasn't so bad", "That took no time to learn".

You have to stick with things and see the difficulties through to get to a place of true competency.

 

[Mariah Carey]

The people who are mentioning ADHD are the ones you need to be listening to. "I'm good at things but can't seem to actually accomplish goals" is exactly how every story for adults who find out they have ADHD starts.

 

[Tesseract]

you've reached peak elasticity, start over and let your neurons proliferate, then consolidate, like stepping stones in antarctica

you lack discipline, and focus. disable all distractions and you'll make your dreams come true.

anything is possible, just do it ~

 

[Astral Dog]

Just try to be bad at something OP, cooking, reading, talking, dating, choosing clothes.

Watch bad tv shows, read trash magazines, terrible movies,awful dates,dont worry just keep trying and you will make it.

 

[Vermillion]

Gears of War 2 is his favorite game.

I get this reference

OP, you might pick up new concepts quicker relative to the majority of your peers.

However, that doesn't make you good at something. Having a shallow, elementary understanding of many things doesn't mean you have mastered any single one. That takes work, regardless of how smart you are.

Sure, you might get things quicker than someone else, but without hard work to continually push yourself to learn more and more about that topic, you haven't done shit.

The fact that you give up when it gets hard just means that you don't have the self discipline or will power necessary to actually do anything worthwhile with your initial foray.

Sorry OP. Not trying to come off as harsh- I am like that in the sense that I pick up shit faster than many/most of my peers, but it's meaningless because it's knowledge that ANY person with any actual practical expetience in the field can wipe the floor with you.

All of this. The deeper you get into things, OP, is the larger you realize the pool is. There are millions of people better than you at everything you listed. The real question is where do you think "good" is?

 

[PK Gaming]

You should take solace in the fact that you're talented.

There are countless people who have absolutely no motivation to do anything either, but no special talents that set them apart from other people either. So in that regard, don't look at your talent as a curse, because you might have ended up like this without it. The good news is that you can still turn things around through hard work. It'll be hard (extremely hard) but if you have an honest to God desire to change yourself, then you'll be able to pull it off.

 

[Metra]

I've never worked hard for anything during my adult life. I don't know if I could if I wanted to. Any time there is an obstacle that requires hard work to overcome, I give up. I honestly believe I may have an underlying problem that saps me of all motivation. I can't focus on one thing. I'm always flying back and forth between tasks without even realizing I switched. I'll end up on Gaf, with an hour passed and not even think about it. This is something that I need to change.

As others have already pointed out, what you described can be caused by ADHD or other pathologies, such as depression. Depending on how this problem is affecting your life, it may be worth an appointment with a mental health professional (ideally a psychiatrist). There's a recent thread about ADHD on GAF, if you're interested:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1054238

 

[ItIsOkBro]

Are you sure it's not just that you're able to reach a decent level of competency in things far quicker than some people? That's not being too good though.

 

[Hoodbury]

I am very interested in hearing how good of a juggler you are. Are we talking 5+ balls/objects at a time with trick throws, behind the back, under the legs, spinning in circles, etc, or do you mean you can pick up 3 balls and do basic juggling for like 15 seconds before you drop them?

 

[rSpooky]

Ah the "Jack of all trades, master of none" syndrome...
Got a bit of that myself... If I'd spend all that energy more focused on one of the many interests I have I would probably excel at it.. But I just have this weird urge to keep moving on to something different and not move take something to the next level ..lol

 

[TM94]

The one thing I don't like about Ray Wonder is that he's almost too good

 

[sfedai0]

Only thing OP is good at is making backfire threads.

 

[Zen_Arcade]

Activities coming easy to you is not the same as being good at something. I have a feeling everything you think you're good at, in reality, you are below average.

Pretty much. Either that or one of the things you're not good at is taking those things and figuring out how to profit from them. Because if you're too good at all of those sports and things like drawing, and you're not out there making bank off them, you're either missing a lot of opportunities or are grossly over estimating your abilities.

 

[Milly Osworth]

Your thread title and actual post don't seem to match. Not being able to focus doesn't make you too good at things >_>

 

[GrotesqueBeauty]

Post your drawings OP. I'll let you know if you're as good as you think.

 

[Mr. Jimmy]

I hope for the day I get asked in a job interview:

"You are really the most qualified person for the job, but how's your juggling?"

 

[Ray Wonder]

I read it as your too good at giving up.

I'm too good at things, oh this is hard, I quit.

This is pretty much me I guess.

Do you know that you're good at those things, or do people just tell you that you are?

EDIT: It sounds like Dunning Kruger effect.

I'm told that, almost exclusively. I love negative criticism though. When it comes, I'm very keen on trying to take it as seriously as possible.

I call bullshit.

People are terrible evaluators of their own talent.

Seems like you need some grit.

Watch this.
http://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit?language=en

is it possible you just have a strong cognitive bias where you tend to perceive that you are good at things regardless of whether or not you are? this is well documented.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect

I was wondering this as well. I'm going to post somethings lower and let you guys be the judge.

Draw me something, OP

I haven't really "pencil and paper" drawn since I was younger. I did, however, start a clothing company that I design most of the work. It's nothing amazing. Which I can openly admit.

Fetty Wap wearing a hoodie I designed.

Simple design for the summer. I kinda dig it.

There's other stuff on the instagram if you want to check it out. The company is called Legacy Avenue.

Start programming. You're bound to fail a lot there. Curse lifted.

Haha yeah, you're probably right about that.

Basically.

If you're that good, you'd be getting paid for it.

That's what too good is.

I get paid for most of the things I do nowadays.

I have the same problem OP. Took a while for me to realize it, which is terrible. I definitely think it comes from a mix of factors, including being over congratulated growing up.

I just forced myself out of my comfort zones and realized how much I really do suck at everything, and then just kind of pushed myself to get better. For example, I went into improv. I fucking suck at improv, and it was a good humbling experience and it forced me to work to gain any kind of respect from my peers.

Also, I think you worded this thread badly. I totally get what you mean though. It's overconfidence but it leads to horrible self-doubt/under-confidence. If you're anything like me, it's that you learn things fast, but then never work hard to master it. You trick yourself into thinking you're good at something just because you understand it, but then don't force yourself to train in order to put it to practice. Trust me, I had the same shit, and you have to reverse it, quick.

You're just undisciplined and a little spoiled, in all honesty.

I 100% agree. I grew up pretty poor. My parents gave me what they could, but I couldn't call myself spoiled. Thank you for this post.

Can we hear some of your music?

Feel free to link your music and or drawings.


Gaf is full of excellent judges I promise.

I PROMISE.

https://soundcloud.com/ray_wonder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvuKe-180yU

We need a mod to change the title: "I think I'm too good at juggling..."

Please no..

Dat thread back fire

I expected a lot of jabbing.
I think some of the posts are really helpful

It sounds like you might be exhibiting a mix of the Dunning–Kruger effect and ADHD. Almost definitely the latter. I would say that you should get that checked out but also people these days are so easily distracted by the shininess of the internet that it's a grey area of whether meds are needed vs training yourself to focus.

I could make a thread about how everything I've ever put effort into I've been very good at and how many things, like weight loss, come easy to me but I suck at drawing. ¯\_(&#12484_/¯

As others have already pointed out, what you described can be caused by ADHD or other pathologies, such as depression. Depending on how this problem is affecting your life, it may be worth an appointment with a mental health professional (ideally a psychiatrist). There's a recent thread about ADHD on GAF, if you're interested:
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1054238

I've wanted to get checked for ADHD for a long time. Maybe it's about that time.

This sounds more like an ego problem where you convince yourself that you're good at the stuff you like, and the stuff you aren't good at you say is dumb, therefore, you are good at everything worthwhile.

I honestly don't say that I'm good at anything ever. I just didn't know how to explain my problem without saying that. Plus, I wanted replies, so I went with that title.

 

[Green Wiggly]

Sounds like you need a healthy dose of sticktuitiveness and gumption, OP.

 

[zoozilla]

Well shit, his shirt looks alright and I think his music's pretty good too.

Fuck, now I'm jealous of OP.

 

[Ray Wonder]

OP ain't coming back lol.

I have an hour commute from work. No texting and driving!

 

[Dennis]

Ray Wonder, more like Boy Wonder, amirite GAF

 

[NobleGundam]

is it possible you just have a strong cognitive bias where you tend to perceive that you are good at things regardless of whether or not you are? this is well documented.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning–Kruger_effect

This

 

[dhlt25]

I wouldn't say I'm too good at things but I do have similar problem to OP. Ever since childhood, I've never work hard for anything, I put in minimal effort and end up pretty much above average or average in everything I do. I've never struggle with anything really. It just that I think I'm capable of a lot more but can't muster up the motivation for anything. It really does suck

 

[NobleGundam]

Draw me like one of your french girls, OP

 

[Amory]

Dat thread back fire

not sure how that could've happened...in this thread of all threads

 

[Laevateinn]

I really want to hear what yinz have to say about it though.

I find it hard to believe that someone from Pittsburgh can have talent

 

[nullset2]

You're not good at things then, you're mediocre OP.

 

[Mermandala]

C'mon man, don't leave us up in the air on your juggling prowess.

 

[Ryaaan14]

Doth my eyes deceive me or are those clothing designs a fucking signature on top of black

 

[Ray Wonder]

Doth my eyes deceive me or are those clothing designs a fucking signature on top of black

Only posted that one because the person wearing it is currently number 3 on the billboard hot 100. The cuffs, and inside the hood are part of the design as well.

Well shit, his shirt looks alright and I think his music's pretty good too.

Hahaha, this made me smile man.

 

[_Nemo]

So you're too good, but as soon as you're challenged, you give up. You're too good at being delusional is all.

 

[entremet]

I have an hour commute from work. No texting and driving!

I'm just fucking with you, bro.

All in good fun. Check out the links I posted.

 

[farisr]

I get what the OP is saying though the words "too good" shouldn't have been used.

Basically what's happened is throughout his life, most things he's come across, he's able to pick up on real quickly and become more competent at than the average person without any real effort required, but when something comes up which does require effort, OP gets frustrated because it's not as easy as those other things were and tends to give up.

And while some of you may say, "just try harder" it's not that easy. For the people who've had to put effort into most things like an average person usually has to, it is a normal thing to put more effort into a tougher obstacle they come across, to OP, even though he knows he needs to put more effort into it, somewhere in his mind, it is almost an unimaginable feat to put in that effort, and hence he loses the willpower to do it.

But yeah, reading about the can't focus on one things stuff, like others mentioned you may need to look into ADHD.

 

[Ray Wonder]

I'm just fucking with you, bro.

All in good fun. Check out the links I posted.

I'm currently checking out everyone's links. Thanks a lot.

 

[ShooterMcGavin]

This is not a stealth brag thread. This is more of a problem than a good thing. Almost everything that I do has come extremely easy to me. From when I was a child, to an adult. Football, Basketball, Juggling, Drawing, Music, Video Games, too many to list. But, I think this "gift" has been more of a curse.

I've never worked hard for anything during my adult life. I don't know if I could if I wanted to. Any time there is an obstacle that requires hard work to overcome, I give up. I honestly believe I may have an underlying problem that saps me of all motivation. I can't focus on one thing. I'm always flying back and forth between tasks without even realizing I switched. I'll end up on Gaf, with an hour passed and not even think about it. This is something that I need to change.

This may sound stupid to most, but I can't be alone in this.

I was just about to just say fuck it, and delete this. I really want to hear what yinz have to say about it though.

We got a fellow yinzer here.

 

[Ray Wonder]

I get what the OP is saying though the words "too good" shouldn't have been used.

Basically what's happened is throughout his life, most things he's come across, he's able to pick up on real quickly and become more competent at than the average person without any real effort required, but when something comes up which does require effort, OP gets frustrated because it's not as easy as those other things were and tends to give up.

And while some of you may say, "just try harder" it's not that easy. For the people who've had to put effort into most things like an average person usually has to, it is a normal thing to put more effort into a tougher obstacle they come across, to OP, even though he knows it, somewhere in his mind, it is almost an unimaginable feat to put in that effort, and hence he loses the willpower to do it.

But yeah, reading about the can't focus on one things stuff, like others mentioned you may need to look into ADHD.

Apparently I'm not "too good" at wording my thoughts either lol. You hit the nail on the head, I believe. I will definitely have to see my doctor and ask him what's up.

 

[Noaloha]

General aptitude don't get you far. General aptitude plus luck might, but, well, good luck with that. I'm not sure what you're expecting. You've identified a problem, leaving you two choices, acknowledge the problem and do nothing about it, or work to overcome the problem. Accept it or beat it. I consider both choices to be paths which fundamentally alter the problem. Obviously a problem overcome is no longer a problem, but I also look at a problem acknowledged and (begrudgingly) accepted as something different to a problem. It's something else at that point. It's a thing you've chosen, an option, even if that option is seemingly the only one available (it isn't, but that's not to say there isn't personal difficulty involved in alternatives).

But yes, coasting by on natural aptitude alone will leave certain mental/attitudinal muscle groups severely waiflike.

 

[FairyD]

This man is Bo Jackson

 

[VASPER]

I read it as your too good at giving up.

This, things may come easy at first but hard work and dedication to something you love should be no problem for you.