So, I can only say this. I teach very technical material, and when I'm teaching, students nod their heads, "Yes, yes, makes sense..." But then when I give the

So, I can only say this. I teach very technical material, and when I'm teaching, students nod their heads, "Yes, yes, makes sense..." But then when I give them an exercise and say "OK, you all told me you understand this, now go design X", many (not all) of them start to implode. I've realized, the only way you get better, in addition to constantly feeding your brain, IS BY //DOING//. You have to go out there and slay the beast. Go ahead and fail en route, I did. But stay in the fight, kick ass, learn, struggle, ask questions, grow. There are way too many armchair experts. Go do it. I did it. It was hard. But then you've proven you can persevere and win. Everyone's a legend in his own mind. I love to see self-appointed "the smartest guy in the room" struggle. Not because of Schadenfreude (sorry, I'm bilingual) but because until you've triumphed on new ground, you're a learner like everyone else.