I saw a post on X recently about how 99% of people who say that the equivalent of “I was a gifted kid but now I’m burnt out” is “I could have gone pro had it not been for The InjuryTM.”
It had me thinking. Perhaps I didn’t grow up thinking I was a genius, or perhaps things were just different 20 years ago in Australia, but I never really thought this way. However, I do notice in terms the discourse that there are MANY people who believe they’re super bright (but probably only top 30%) and are devastated that they haven’t won a Field’s Medal or something.
Overpromise, underdeliver is a sure fire for disappointment, and can be brutal when self-applied.