Thread 33800659

I have known this guy for years

he’s 19, never got a bad grade (literally aced calculus), amazing at sports, super kind, disciplined, always eats clean, sleeps early, never loses focus

i bave been trying to do the same things he does (study hard, stay healthy, be consistent) but I just can’t keep it up.

I end up with average or low grades and feel like im failing at everything he makes look effortless.

is he just built different? how can I be like him? is it all genetics, discipline, or something psychological?

and is it even healthy to try to be like that?

>>33800659 (OP)
People's natural abilities differ; some are naturally athletic, some are not; some are naturally gifted at some school subjects, and some are not. It's important that you do all of these things as well as you can: study hard, be disciplined, eat healthily, exercise hard - but the only person you should actually be competing against is yourself. At the risk of sounding like a hallmark card, be the best version of *you* that you can be, but don't try to be someone else. To take a rather extreme example: most people are not able to become Olympic athletes, no matter how hard they train, and there's no point in beating yourself up because you're not an Olympian.

>>33800659 (OP)
If I were you I would play to my strengths, whatever they happen to be. Trying to cover all bases is a losing battle, because there aren't enough hours in the day.

>>33800717
>>33801623
yeah i get what you’re saying about competing with yourself and playing to strengths, but here’s the thing: some people aren’t just naturally talented, they’re running a full-on system of habits, timing, constant routines, maybe even nootropics or study algorithms
some of us are still running humanOS 1.0, constantly rebooting focus, while others are modding the kernel, stacking micro-routines, and running dopamine-efficient custom firmware
so like… if everyone just “plays to their strengths,” how do you explain people who literally engineer their focus and results with insane consistency?
can you even get close without understanding and maintaining the actual system behind it

>>33804485
To me its mainly genetics and education, also love and affection from their family and friends

>>33800659 (OP)
I knew a girl like that. She always topped every class despite not studying as much as the other top graders. I would have felt bad had I been the second in class, who had a genuine passion and studied all day but still got surpassed by her every time. She was also good at sports, played an instrument, had good social life, and knew four languages.

I'm sorry, but some of it was genetics. Surely the part about playing an instrument and learning languages came from effort, but there is a limit to what effort gets you. When I tried my hardest in school I became as good as the second in class. I guess that was the maximum level where hard work could get you. But that girl was at a level past that, and for that you need talent, and not just in school grades. Some people are just built different.

>>33804485
>some people aren’t just naturally talented, they’re running a full-on system of habits, timing, constant routines, maybe even nootropics or study algorithms
That would count for the second in class. But she still was surpassed by god-given talent.

>>33804485
>so like… if everyone just “plays to their strengths,” how do you explain people who literally engineer their focus and results with insane consistency?
Most people don't play to their strengths. And the ability to do what you're talking about here is strongly dependent on genetics and upbringing - most people physically can't do that.

>>33804910
no man, its not genetics, its never been genetics. people love saying that because it makes failure easier to swallow, like “oh he was just born better.” no bro, its literally about willpower, the one variable no dna sequence can measure. the human brain rewires itself through repetition and intent, thats called neuroplasticity. its proven. you can literally build focus, discipline, memory, whatever you want, just by grinding at it long enough. every study that tried to separate talent from practice ended up showing that the ones who kept going eventually matched or even surpassed the “naturals.” its just that most people quit before that point.

willpower changes your chemistry, it changes how dopamine works, it changes how you feel about pain and reward. even physical endurance adapts from mental decisions. the body follows the mind.

you look at athletes, top students, inventors, and everyone thinks they’re gifted, but if you dig deeper, they all went through years of being average and still kept pushing. michael jordan got cut from his high school team, elon musk literally built rockets after being told he was insane, einstein was a slow learner in school. none of that was talent, it was raw obsession, the refusal to stop. and yeah, people talk about genetics like it’s the final boss, but genes are just the starter pack. what matters is how you train the system, because the brain upgrades itself under stress. you decide whether that stress breaks you or forges you.

>>33800659 (OP)
Any serious proof-based calculus course has 3 hard prerequisites:
1. Algebra. Use AOPS's Introduction to Algebra.
2. Proof writing skills. Use Hammack's Book of Proof. It's free.
3. Problem solving skills. Use Paul Zeitz's The Art and Craft of Problem Solving.
Most students lack all 3.

For general study tips, I'd recommend Cal Newport's How to Become a Straight-A Student. These videos are good summary of the ideas: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLocr_pp31BZe8aaLp3jCYutVTNNac4-ru

To be amazing at sports, that's more difficult. I suggest giving up at that. But remember to do cardio. It's good for the brain.

Also 4chan is bad for you. I'd recommend leaving this place permanently. Perhaps do a CBT workbook, like the ones from David Burns.