posted 6 years ago
If you have an aptitude for something, I think you'll know it after doing it for a while. I was interested in a few sports growing up, like baseball, swimming, basketball. I quickly figured out that I sucked at basketball, wasn't a good or strong enough swimmer, and was ok as a left fielder in baseball. Of the three, I enjoyed baseball the most. Then I went bowling with my girlfriend. My first few outings were horrific and I was terribly embarrassed. But instead of thinking that this was another thing I sucked at like basketball, I kept at it. After a while, I got decent. After more time, I got pretty good. My highest score ever in bowling was in the 230s. Even though my wife and I probably only bowl maybe three or four times a year, I still score about 150 average and the last time we went, I bowled a 193.
I guess the point of all that is that I think most people know more or less whether or not they have a knack for doing something. The fact that you're asking the questions you're asking makes me think you have a sense of your own limitations. On the other hand, I also believe that success is mostly from. attitude and effort with a little help from aptitude and luck. I have to throw luck in there because I think I've been pretty lucky. But at the same time, I work pretty hard at getting better every day.
So, bottom line: work hard, study diligently, practice mindfully, and enjoy what you're doing but also, know your own limitations.