Support NeoGAF

[Ray Wonder]

If it offers you any consolation, you are pretty bad at modesty.

I understand that I worded the OP terribly. I've been called out on it a half dozen times. I honestly didn't mean to come off as a jackass. I genuinely feel like I have a problem. I'm going to the doctor soon.

 

[Ganzlinger]

If it offers you any consolation, you are pretty bad at modesty.

lmao

Seriously, don't say "I'm too good". You probably lost more than half of the sympathy you could get here with that.

 

[THRILLH0]

You sound like a joke American Idol contestant. Their friends and family have told then "yeah you sound reeeaaal good" all their life but there's a reason they haven't made it anywhere.

 

[Ray Wonder]

lmao

Seriously, don't say "I'm too good". You probably lost more than half of the sympathy you could get here with that.

Haha yeah, I see that now. I did get some really awesome replies though. And a couple helpful PMs. I wouldn't take back the thread if I could.

 

[BumRush]

I think he nailed it.

I've ran into this a couple times in my professional career. It's pretty crazy to see how out of touch some people can be with their own skills. The same applies on the other end with the Imposter syndrome.

That's why it's important to get honest feed back on what you do or have a mentor so that you can see where your skills really are.

Agreed. Doing a 360 survey (himself, peers, subordinates and supervisors) would be beneficial for OP.

 

[REDSLATE]

To be honest, I just kinda skimmed through a lot of this, but I suppose the main point of contention seems to be how vague the initial claim is ("I'm too good at things"). Many people are interpreting this as "I'm too good at all/most things," which does appear to be the insinuation, though may not be the intent. I suppose the ironic thing is that many of the people in adamant contest of this phrasing are likely far from objective in their own statements, but taken literally: everyone's good at "things." We all have strengths and weaknesses.

As you did admit that there are "things" (again, vague) that you aren't "good at," I'm doing my best to give you the benefit of the doubt. As such, there are psychological conditions that can make comparatively difficult tasks easy for one to learn/perform while simultaneously making tasks considered to be quite trivial exceedingly difficult. I don't know your level of mental and physical development, current lifestyle, or to what degree you are "functional," but if you believe this issue to be in any way a hinderance or, worse, a disorder, I suggest that you seek professional help. While the tasks you are incapable of completing may be of very little importance, if apathy is your approach to every task that you cannot quickly accomplish, you could very well be failing (or have already failed) to learn pertinent life skills.

 

[FunkyMunkey]

I think I'm too good at things

 

[ant_]

Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

[Zaraki_Kenpachi]

Quit half way through my senior year in highschool. I didn't say I was amazing at football. It just came really easy compared to others around me.

So you weren't anything great of a player but you're just TOO GOOD at everything? I'm not sure this could make less sense. How are you too good when you just admitted you weren't shit?

 

[commedieu]

This is not a love song...

 

[Ray Wonder]

So you weren't anything great of a player but you're just TOO GOOD at everything? I'm not sure this could make less sense. How are you too good when you just admitted you weren't shit?

Other people have interpreted and understood what I'm saying, and where I'm coming from correctly. I guess it doesn't have to make sense to everyone. If you want to insult me that's fine though. I left the door wide open for it..

 

[ZackieChan]

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

Haha, I'm going there Friday. Don't think I can handle all that "yinz"

 

[megatronium]

You need a challenge. Try to get a really demanding job. Work with really smart people at a place that rewards you financially for success.

When you grow up being "naturally smart" and get good grades, do well in extracurricular activites etc without trying, you get lazy. You also become paralyzed by a fear of failure. A fear of maybe not being as good as you think you are. So instead of trying really hard at something you might fail, you just don't try. You can get away with this for a while, but eventually it's going to really hurt you.

Take more risks. Try something you think might be too difficult for you and try to knock it out of the park. Surround yourself with people that are more experienced than you and that work harder than you.

This is good advice and describes me somewhat. I'm diagnosed as MDD/Bipolar but never got checked for ADHD. I'm taking too many pills as is

 

[megatronium]

Jack of all trades, master of none.

This is me also

 

[alejob]

WTF at this thread. Did you guys give OP enough shit? He needs it.

 

[-tetsuo-]

This is just hilarious

 

[Admiral Woofington]

I understand that I worded the OP terribly. I've been called out on it a half dozen times. I honestly didn't mean to come off as a jackass. I genuinely feel like I have a problem. I'm going to the doctor soon.

"Doctor Doctor I have a problem. I'm too good at things"

Doctor: All right. We're gonna do some basic medical examinations. Could you breath in really deep and hold it?

"Doctor that method is archaic. I could be a better doctor if I tried"


jokes aside good luck OP. Seems like a mental issue.

 

[Ace Harding]

By the way, for anyone who decides to have children, this is why you avoid constantly telling your child things like "you are so smart!" or "you are naturally good at this" or "you have a gift." You want to praise the effort they put into their success, or their failures. So it's not "oh you are so good at that" it's "wow you really worked hard at that and look how much you improved." That reinforces the relationship between effort and success and helps kids understand that they need to work to keep skills sharp and can't skate through life.

 

[Hazmat]

So you weren't anything great of a player but you're just TOO GOOD at everything? I'm not sure this could make less sense. How are you too good when you just admitted you weren't shit?

It's easier to explain your inadequacies by claiming that you were so good that you gave up than admit that you really aren't the best person in the world.

 

[PlayALLtheGames]

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.

You're set for life bruh.

 

[Ace Harding]

It's easier to explain your inadequacies by claiming that you were so good that you gave up than admit that you really aren't the best person in the world.

Bingo. "Oh yeah I didn't really try, just kinda stopped halfway through" is easier to swallow than "man I worked my butt off and I did OK but not as well as that other person - maybe I'm not as good as I think I am."

 

[foxtrot3d]

Amazing thread backfire.

 

[The Beard]

If anything, you're slightly above average at a lot of things without really trying, but you lack the drive to be great at anything.

I suffer from this as well.

 

[aaaaa0]

Textbook Dunning-Kruger effect?

 

[excelsiorlef]

I feel ya man, I mean I'm a super genius, a kind ruler of a glorious Eastern European country, I saved all of existence from being destroyed and created a brand new world, I am a living God, but yet I still can't fix my face.

 

[Gilby]

I'd love to see some of your amazing drawings.

 

[AlphaDump]

real knowledge is empowering, can only get that through practice



and adderall

 

[Rival]

So in high school you were the sports jock / juggling aficionado? I tell you, every school has one.

 

[Deleted member 1235]

i understand what you mean OP, but youve identified it wrong. i sometimes joke about saying my super power is being extremely average at everything, but really quickly. so it initially looks like im good at things. but to excel at something.... well i have a short attention span and get bored easily.

it sounds like you do the same. i figure you just need to dins something you really love

 

[Vik]

I understand that I worded the OP terribly. I've been called out on it a half dozen times. I honestly didn't mean to come off as a jackass. I genuinely feel like I have a problem. I'm going to the doctor soon.

Clearly, you're not too good at wording either.

 

[maomaoIYP]

I've read through the entire thread and come to the conclusion that OP is probably will.i.am.

 

[Trike]

I understand that I worded the OP terribly. I've been called out on it a half dozen times. I honestly didn't mean to come off as a jackass. I genuinely feel like I have a problem. I'm going to the doctor soon.

There is literally no way to word this:

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.

and evoke sympathy. At all. I mean, it isn't even just that you round out your list of "easy shit for me" with "juggling" and "video games", but the fact that you feel need to individually list your talents is not endearing. Your thread could be summarized as "My whole life things have come easy to me, but now in adulthood I struggle when I need to put in more effort." but it is super hard to do so when the obvious thing to point out is "I'm basically a renaissance man due to my natural skills in sports, arts, Fusion Frenzy 2 and street performance, yet somehow these skills do not translate into perseverance."

Don't get me wrong, I am glad that you are seeking help and wish you the best. Mostly because you remind me of R5-D4.

 

[Earthanoid]

I know it's been asked, but I didn't see an answer. OP, how many balls can you juggle and for how long? If you can juggle 3 balls indefinitely, that's not being good at juggling, that's knowing how to juggle. Now if you can do 4-5 balls indefinitely, or 3 things of varying size and weight, then that's being good at juggling.

 

[The Lamp]

try engineering/hard maths/physics and see how you fare before you call yourself "too good at things."

 

[Pitch]

Doesn't look like you're good at persevering.

 

[B-B-Bomba!]

I feel you OP. Looks like you're able to see past your critics here which as just is well. I think they aren't really understanding you because they come from a different mindest already, and from that point of view, claiming to be 'good' at something better mean hard work and achievement. And if it doesn't, then you deserve ridicule. I think a closer reading of your posts shows you're making an effort to be vulnerable actually.

Other posters have phrased it better and basically I'm in the same boat. At 37 I have zero hope in my heart of being able to turn this attitude around. Every day, several times a day, I'll be able to envisage a future in which through hard work and dedication I became truly proficient at (x, y or z). But these impulses go as quick as they come and I've given up following any of them, not because they're not possible, but because I don't really care to realise that vision.

Without wishing to argue for these limitations, which is offensive, I don't think it should be underestimated how hard it is to tackle this issue. I feel like I lack the particular tool that is required to solve the problem, meanwhile every smartass is happy to say (I) just need some grit etc. I fucking know that! That's the point. But how to acquire that, late in life, when it would TAKE grit to want to pick up new stuff or desire to change yourself? It's a negative cycle, not necessarily insurmountable on a case by case basis, but certainly requiring more intelligence and compassion than some posts ITT.

Edit: forgot to add, i also concur with the poster who said those who are able to grasp things easily could remember to be grateful.

 

[Krejlooc]

You sound like the average gifted student, actually. What you describe is what many gifted and talented students go through.

If you learn to bunker down and hone one single skill, you can become incredibly successful, even late in life.

 

[TipsyArchmage]

That was only notable because within like 20 minutes of trying my first time, I was pretty much good at it.

With 3 balls I'm guessing?

I probably learnt in about 20 minutes as well it's really not that hard for anyone. Going higher than three actually takes work though

 

[Calabi]

I dont know if any ones mentioned but motivation is no good for doing things, its fleeting and unreliable. Its not how we do things, HABITS is what we do. Look it up.

 

[CountAntonius]

I find that my situation is the complete opposite. I'm pretty terrible at everything,

 

[Skux]

It only seems easy now because you put in the work to become good at it.

 

[Shadow Ranger]

If only you had Asian parents, man. Then you'd know what's what, I say!

Even 100% isn't good. Because you obviously cheated!

 

[Forkball]

Hard work is all that matters. In life, your employers or anyone who is willing to give you anything will ask you three questions:

Can you do this thing?
Can you do it on time?
Can you do it without fucking up?

No one cares how naturally gifted you are, they care about results. If you can't produce them, then you gotta make some changes.

 

[Mental Atrophy]

Cool, I was looking for somebody who was good at video games and everything. I am trying to land on Jool by doing a gravity-assist maneuver around Tyro, without any fuel station rendezvous. What day and time should I launch my rocket and what sort of thrust-to-mass ratio is ideal?

 

[tell yourself.]

you're good at music production so i cant take that away from you lol

 

[Shuggananas]

I'm really good at peeling bananas, I pretty much give up at everything else in life, I'm just that good at what I do

 

[Maaaaaardy]

OP, without sounding terribly big headed, I get you completely. Same as me, I feel I can pick things up easily but I don't like having to work hard to do something. I'm not a genius or anything, but it tends to be just random things.

I think it can be best described at everything i'm good at, i'm really good at. Things I am not, I just can't be bothered with.

 

[DistortionOfReality]

I have this exact problem OP.

Spoiler

Without the initial 'being good' part

 

[eot]

When you grow up being "naturally smart" and get good grades, do well in extracurricular activites etc without trying, you get lazy. You also become paralyzed by a fear of failure. A fear of maybe not being as good as you think you are. So instead of trying really hard at something you might fail, you just don't try. You can get away with this for a while, but eventually it's going to really hurt you.

This is very true and it can be a big problem, because hard work beats talent every single time. If you have a knack for math it's possible to basically never have to study all the way through high school and then you start to think talent means being able to do something effortlessly. Then you get to university and either wake the fuck up or drop out, unless you're the top 0.01% of super gifted people. But even then you'll have a moment where you'll have to face reality, it just comes later. No one will ever realise their potential without a lot of blood, sweat and tears.

 

[Ray Wonder]

I feel you OP. Looks like you're able to see past your critics here which as just is well. I think they aren't really understanding you because they come from a different mindest already, and from that point of view, claiming to be 'good' at something better mean hard work and achievement. And if it doesn't, then you deserve ridicule. I think a closer reading of your posts shows you're making an effort to be vulnerable actually.

Other posters have phrased it better and basically I'm in the same boat. At 37 I have zero hope in my heart of being able to turn this attitude around. Every day, several times a day, I'll be able to envisage a future in which through hard work and dedication I became truly proficient at (x, y or z). But these impulses go as quick as they come and I've given up following any of them, not because they're not possible, but because I don't really care to realise that vision.

Without wishing to argue for these limitations, which is offensive, I don't think it should be underestimated how hard it is to tackle this issue. I feel like I lack the particular tool that is required to solve the problem, meanwhile every smartass is happy to say (I) just need some grit etc. I fucking know that! That's the point. But how to acquire that, late in life, when it would TAKE grit to want to pick up new stuff or desire to change yourself? It's a negative cycle, not necessarily insurmountable on a case by case basis, but certainly requiring more intelligence and compassion than some posts ITT.

Edit: forgot to add, i also concur with the poster who said those who are able to grasp things easily could remember to be grateful.

You're right, and I agree that I shouldn't take anything for granted. If I can pick up on things quickly, I should be happy with that. It really is tough to keep my head in the game though. I have built up motivation before, but day by day my mind restarts right back to being unmotivated. It feels impossible to keep the motivation up.

My family has a history of thyroid problems, and looking up some of those symptoms made me think it might be that instead of ADHD. We'll see when I go to the docs.