Comments on: The curse of being good at something you don’t enjoy

By: jon

jon — Sun, 09 May 2010 10:30:54 +0000

I used to think I was like you. Excelled in everything… BUT your real talents and abilities if you go deeper. Sure, alot of us are good at alot of things when you are just bouncing along the surface of stuff. Dig deeper and you’ll quickly run into problems in those areas you are not well suited for.

If everything seems easy, you are not digging into it deep enough.

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 16:20:06 +0000

You know I think we live in a world where, exactly as you said, we are trained to think from a very young age that if we work and study hard we can do absolutely anything we want to do. We watch TV and get all sorts of romantic ideas about careers and lifestyles that we want for ourselves. But honestly, I think many people are born with natural talents but have been sidetracked because of the multiplicity of options available to them. We live in a world where literally you can choose your career at random and follow that training without consideration to your personal or family history, natural talents, etc. And often it is more based on prestige and future money earnings rather than cultivating long-term happiness and contentment. I think we should explore our natural talents and except our defeats. When I think of talents I don’t necessarily think of them in terms of being good at a particular career, but rather being a good writer, being creative, being good with people, being good with words, being a good musician, etc.

By: Shane

Shane — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:18:00 +0000

I'm in the same boat as you, Jeremy: very good at a lot of things, but a true expert in none. I would take that over being an expert in just one thing any day, though. I love the flexibility it gives me and the fact that I don't have to rely on anyone else to get things done. Shane’s last blog post..How to Sell a Website for $1M

By: Jeremy Day

Jeremy Day — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:24:39 +0000

Hi Andrew,

Welcome to Insight Writer! You should still write a similar post. Im sure I would enjoy reading your different perspective on this subject. Likewise, I have been in a similar position where I have done IT stuff when my job description is far from it. Guess I should have just become an IT guy to begin with.

Cheers,
Jeremy

By: Andrew

Andrew — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:51:46 +0000

Haha, very interesting that I’m reading this now — I was just thinking of writing a similar one!

My curse was being good at something that wasn’t good for my career. I worked as a trader on Wall Street for my first job out of college. I happen to be pretty good with computers, and can usually fix problems pretty quickly. The problem with this was that every time a computer had an issue, my boss would ask me to fix it.

This caused a problem because I increasingly felt looked at as more of an “IT Guy” than a Trader, which isn’t necessarily what you want on a trading floor. Funny how sometimes knowledge isn’t power…

Oh well, that job wasn’t for me, and its behind me anyways.

–
Unemployed? Swap tips and figure out what’s next at The Free Agents

By: Jenn

Jenn — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:03:39 +0000

@ Suzanne, I totally agree you can be good at many things and not make a career out of it. I mean I think we all have more than just one talent, but that doesn't mean we need to make careers out of them. I mean I am good at more than one thing, but my career isn't going to be focused on many of them. I am good with kids, but I don't think my job will be working with them. That is something I do in my free time. Just like writing right now. I don't think we would be blessed with simply one thing we are good with, but a number of things and it's up to us to decide what we want to do with those talents almost like the parable Jesus talks about. Jenn’s last blog post..Focus

By: Anto

Anto — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:30:57 +0000

You are right, that can really be a curse! Anto’s last blog post..Before the Storm - Patagonia

By: Robin Easton

Robin Easton — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 04:23:22 +0000

Wow!! Another winner from you Jeremy. I really relate to this. I only had to read the title and I laughed my head off. I am good at SOOOOOO many things and people get angry with me when I don’t want to do them ALL time or as a career, especially if I was making good money at it. They will even treat me like I’m letting them and the whole world down and I should be ashamed of myself for not doing it…just because I’m really good at it. You’re an amaaazing person AND writer!! Listen to your heart. Always.

By: Jeremy Day

Jeremy Day — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 04:13:08 +0000

Hi All,

I love reading all these comments! Its neat to see everyone’s different views. And how this expands on my original idea.

@ Ron – I feel your pain. I feel like my next step is to start my own business. It’s scary to leave something certain for something uncertain, but I think I need to do this for myself. Good luck on reaching your goals!

@ Janet – Writing down my goals has helped get me where I am today. I think I will check out that book and at least sit down and contemplate my perfect work day. Thanks for the advice.

@ Mark – I think we are in the same boat. I love learning about all kinds of things, but I feel the need to be “recognized” for a certain expertise or skill. Maybe its an ego thing or something? Or just the fact that society seems to reward specialists more than generalists.

@ Bunny – Its sounds like you were good at more than one thing and just had to decide which one was the better path. I love hearing all the bits and pieces of your story that you share.

Cheers,
Jeremy

By: Bunny got Blog

Bunny got Blog — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:17:25 +0000

I was good in math but thought about modeling.
My parents were against a modeling career.Mom always made it a point that my brain was my best asset.
I did model a little during college.I didn’t like it.So I am glad I scratched that off my list.
I love working with people and managing was part of my previous job.I think my career choice has been successful personally because of the challenges.
When I decided to leave the company and go out on my own several of my peers and close friends thought I was too young but I had my reasons.
Working for myself has allowed me to work from the convenience of my home which is a totally shorter commute to the office everyday;).
I have to be more disciplined with structuring work and time.
I enjoy building businesses up.I have gotten a couple of job offers since going out on my own but I really wouldn’t be happy working for someone else now.
Great Read!
Cheers

Bunny got Blog’s last blog post..Follow Your Gut, Your Brain Will Do The Rest