Work ethic leads to better performance than IQ in college students: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=789312 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=789312 Examp

Work ethic leads to better performance than IQ in college students: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=789312 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=789312 Example of what can happen when the workload exceeds one's raw intelligence and exposes the limitations of work ethic: http://lwn.net/Articles/393694/ http://lwn.net/Articles/393694/ And another HN post provides evidence that working harder will contribute to your happiness: http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2010/07/were-happier-when-busy-but-our-instinct.html http://bps-research-digest.blogspot.com/2010/07/were-happier... The simple fact is you are plugging yourself into where some very bright people are communing (namely, HN) and that shows that you recognize value. You seem to also be able to assess yourself. That is good. At least you know where you are starting from. Focus on the positive. What you set your mind on tends to be what you get more of in your life. Don't worry about how smart everyone else is. Results are the only things that matter at the end of the day. So set your mind on what you want (a goal) and work harder than you did the previous day/week/month/year to get there. Constantly be learning (by coming here, you will.) Learn how to learn better, faster, easier. Learn how to work faster, cheaper, more productively. "Hack" your mind/heart and apply your life to the expression of your mind/heart and you will see more results. (Notice the absence of moral guidance there. I don't want to start a flame war only indicate a system and a pattern.) Enough self-help guidance. I wish you well.