The new issue of "In the World of Science" magazine has an article about talented people and geniuses. According to the latest research, "talent" plays a very small role, while diligence and motivation, on the contrary, play a huge one. So much for excuses that you're stupid and have no talent.
Everyone has it, but they're lazy.
However, the article does give a figure. It takes 10 years to properly master a field of knowledge. I started programming at 13 and even earlier, so there's a chance that at least I'm somewhat good at that.
On the Diligent and the Talented
2006-11-11