Music comes naturally. After two years of saxophone lessons, my instructor said, "there's nothing else to teach you." A very Karate Kid moment.
Basketball was of equal interest, but I wasn't great at it. I was good enough to make the freshman high school team, but I also averaged the most travels in a game. I did get to do the pre-game chant though. I was great at that.
In my early years of elementary school, I remember leading groups. For some reason, my class or group would pick me to lead. I had no idea what leading meant except to form a straight line. I had the occasional, "what do scissors do" trick, but all in all I kept my ducks in a line. I was great at it.
Forward decades into the future and I found myself running a software company. Prior to managing the business, I programmed. I was good. I maintained code, fixed bugs, etc, but had very little contribution on moving the business forward.
It was then after I took on the role of second in command where I was mentored by our chief. I learned how to deal contracts. I renewed 40% of the contracts which at the time were expiring. I was great at that. We even managed to scout a few new leads.
Working hard at what I was good at kept me from things I was great at.
Finding out what you're good or great at requires time. It requires asking the right people (those closest to you and most objective) questions regarding performance, personality, passions, etc.
So, what are you good at?
What can you be great at?
As Jim Collins states in "Good to Great", good is the enemy of great.
