Comment by barrkel

The problem is that almost everyone is lopsided in some way: they excel at something, and are deficient in other things, but almost always in unique ways. Often, the time that they lack in other areas has caused them to grow in others, and it's that growth that gives them an edge in life. Most nerds know this: often they have exchanged social skills for technical skills by the choice of how they spend their time, and how that choice reinforces itself because of how comfortable they feel in different situations.

So many of the things you learn, things you'd like your 17 year old self to know, are things that other 17 year olds already know; and vice versa.

All I can really say is to explore the boundaries, do things that stretch yourself, that scare you, to minimize the risk of getting caught in local maxima. Learn to understand how your mind plays tricks on you, tries to stop you from growing. Think of e.g. showing an older grandparent how to use a PC, and of how difficult they find it, how they can't play with it, and learn on their own, because they lack the confidence; and how frustrating it can be when you know it's not actually hard, and all they need to be is open and playful. Keep that in mind when you think something is too hard or that you're not good at it; watch out for your own mind telling you to give up.