Here is the thing: You want to be a good programer, you need a brain, a time investment (a bad work ethic slows this down) and a thick skin. If you can't take

Here is the thing: You want to be a good programer, you need a brain, a time investment (a bad work ethic slows this down) and a thick skin. If you can't take criticism of your work, your never going to get better. Once programing becomes something you can "just do" then your going to need another set of skills: Understanding users and understanding business. Here again the hard work comes into play, and a bit of social skill and empathy. Tallent and passion are an accelerator. Name someone GREAT in anything and they probably have both of those for what ever it is they are great at.