[burade]

Ugh.

10x developers are usually people who have the lucky combination of:

-Having a close family member who understands computers

-Programming since 9 years old

-Naturally high IQ

-Decent emotional development and communication skills

[oarabbus_]

Yes, and 10x basketball players usually have a lucky combination of:

-6'+

-Having a close family member who is an athlete

-Playing sports since 9

-Naturally athletic physique

-Decent cooperative and competitiveness

I only meet 2 of those and 6'+ is definitely not one of them, but I don't avoid basketball because I'll never be as good as a "10x" basketball player (probably NCAA D1 level, Euroleague). In fact, I play often, and years of that have made me an at least serviceable player.

What I'm saying is maybe you'll never be a 10x dev (I won't be) and a large part could be because you don't have the traits you mentioned - which in my experience, definitely describes most of the 10x types I know. but hard work over time can get any person of average talent to at least a 2x or 3x dev (or basketball player). So there is no reason to beat yourself up if you aren't Einstein. A person is competing with themselves.

[_carbyau_]

Anyone can only play with the cards the were dealt. The trick is making the most of them.

[kelvin0]

Are there artificially high IQs? As opposed to a 'naturally' high IQ?

Also missing from you list: - Hard work? - Dedication? - A 'can do' attitude?

In the end it's easy to remove yourself from the race by rationalizing that since you don't have the 'lucky' ingredients you mention, it's not even worth trying.

That would be unfortunate...

[phist_mcgee]

We should just refer to them as well-rounded software developers then