[christofd]

Great advice. My Dad always told me I suck at music. But I just wouldn't give up. I destroyed one Cello bow along the way in frustration for my lacking skill, but now 20 years later I got this beast under control.

Then, of course, there are the people that are hopeless, and no amount of practice will get them over the hill.

[larrywright]

I think there are people to whom these skills come more naturally, but people seem to underestimate the degree to which fierce determination and persistence can overcame a lack of natural ability.

This is probably less true for purely physical pursuits (athletic activities, for example), but not entirely untrue.