What's something you're bad at, but used to think you're good at?

There's a lot of things for me, but the one that sticks out the most is writing.

When I was in college, I started this startup, and had a little blog for it. It was sort of my first time writing, and I absolutely loved it! I felt like I had all of these great things to say, so I ended up spending way more time than I should have on the blogging. I just couldn't help it, and I felt like I was putting out great stuff.

Now when I look back at that old writing, it totally makes me cringe. Furthermore, when I go to do some writing now, I've been noticing more and more that I'm hesitant.

Sometimes I realize that I'm not actually saying anything new or insightful.
Other times I just can't manage to articulate it the way I want to.
Other times I think that I really am on to something, but I realize that I don't really have the domain expertise to take the post where I want it to go, and that I'm probably not the best person to write it.
Other times I feel like I could write the post that I want to write, but that it would take a while, and I get lazy and don't want to do all of the research and iteration.

I don't like this new hesitant me. I like what Paul Graham says about essays.

To understand what a real essay is, we have to reach back into history again, though this time not so far. To Michel de Montaigne, who in 1580 published a book of what he called "essais." He was doing something quite different from what lawyers do, and the difference is embodied in the name. Essayer is the French verb meaning "to try" and an essai is an attempt. An essay is something you write to try to figure something out.

The last sentence is where it's at. "An essay is something you write to try to figure something out." I don't see why I or anyone else should ever hesitate to do that.

Say something nice to louisswiss…

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There's a lot of things for me, but the one that sticks out the most is writing.

When I was in college, I started this startup, and had a little blog for it. It was sort of my first time writing, and I absolutely loved it! I felt like I had all of these great things to say, so I ended up spending way more time than I should have on the blogging. I just couldn't help it, and I felt like I was putting out great stuff.

Now when I look back at that old writing, it totally makes me cringe. Furthermore, when I go to do some writing now, I've been noticing more and more that I'm hesitant.
- Sometimes I realize that I'm not actually saying anything new or insightful.
- Other times I just can't manage to articulate it the way I want to.
- Other times I think that I really am on to something, but I realize that I don't really have the domain expertise to take the post where I want it to go, and that I'm probably not the best person to write it.
- Other times I feel like I could write the post that I want to write, but that it would take a while, and I get lazy and don't want to do all of the research and iteration.
I don't like this new hesitant me. I like what Paul Graham says about essays.

To understand what a real essay is, we have to reach back into history again, though this time not so far. To Michel de Montaigne, who in 1580 published a book of what he called "essais." He was doing something quite different from what lawyers do, and the difference is embodied in the name. Essayer is the French verb meaning "to try" and an essai is an attempt. An essay is something you write to try to figure something out.

The last sentence is where it's at. "An essay is something you write to try to figure something out." I don't see why I or anyone else should ever hesitate to do that.
adamzerner

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7 years ago
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1. 1
  
  Well put!
  
  I often feel the same way.
  
  Louis Nicholls
  
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  7 years ago
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2

I use to think I'd be great at managing things and people. Now I know I'd rather not be involved in all of that, it just doesn't excite me!

rosiesherry

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7 years ago
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1. 1
  
  same!
  
  I'm not sure if it doesn't excite me, or if I just find it too much responsibility.
  
  When I have employees, I worry way too much!
  
  Louis Nicholls
  
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  7 years ago
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1

Raising kids. And I know it's same for many people.

neiljett

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7 years ago
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