Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of the best self improvement books I have ever read. When I first read it most of the ideas were new to me but one chapter in particular resonated because it clearly articulates a lesson I’d already learned the hard way.

If I’d learned this lesson much earlier in life - ideally while still at school - I’d have avoided a great deal of unnecessary difficulty. Some people have an intuitive sense of this lesson: I just wasn’t one of them.

The truth about talent

The chapter is titled “The Truth About Talent (When Genes Matter and When They Don’t)” which explains an important truth that I wish I’d been aware of when I began my career.

Many of the examples given use physical traits as examples but to me the real power of this lesson for most of us is building a life that suits are personalities, strengths and interests.

Our environment determines the suitability of our genes and the utility of our natural talents. When our environment changes so do the qualities that determine success.

This is true not just for physical characteristics but for mental ones as well. I’m smart if you ask me about habits and human behaviour; not so much when it comes to knitting, rocket propulsion or guitar chords. Competence is highly dependent on context.

The people at the top of any competitive field are not only well trained, they are also well suited to the task. And that is why, if you want to be truly great, selecting the right place of focus is critical. …

… The areas where you are genetically predisposed to success are the areas where habits are more likely to be satisfying. The key is to direct your effort toward areas that both excite you and match your natural skills, to align your ambition with your ability. - James Clear. “Atomic habits”

He goes on to explain how you can decide to design your life around being in contexts in which your strengths are valuable.

Boiling water will soften a potato but harden an egg. You can’t control whether you’re a potato or an egg, but you can decide to play a game where it’s better to be hard or soft.

James Clear. "Atomic habits"

I think this is excellent advice.