We tend to be harder on ourselves than anyone else is. We want to be the best at what we do, and we tend to want other people to recognize that we are the best as well. We don't want others to see us fail, and most importantly we don't want to see ourselves fail. We question every move we make, and doubt our own ability. How can you be the best if you have so much self doubt? Also, how do you know when you really aren't the best when all you want to do is succeed at what you're doing? It's confusing, hard, and scary. This is why you need to surround yourself with honest people who want you to succeed and who will also tell you when you aren't the best. It helps take the self pressure off, and even though it is hard to hear someone tell you that "this isn't what you are meant to be doing" at least you know you can start working on something that you are truly talented at.
Yes, I am a firm believer in the phrase "you can do anything you set your mind to" because I find it very important to work hard for what you want. Sometimes though, what you are working towards is not what you're exactly meant to be doing, and you have to be okay with that. It's not an easy thing to accept after you've put so much time and thought into becoming the best at what you're doing, but you need to remember you still can be the best, just at something different. Not everyone is meant to be a doctor or a teacher or even the president. But you are meant to be something special that radiates the talents you possess.
We are all full of talents, wonders, and magical things that we thought we weren't even capable of. We have gifts that are unique to specifically us, and it is important to use those gifts to light our way to success in life. Some people understand their gifts right away and are able to succeed quickly, others have to work at those gifts a little harder, and some are still trying to understand what their gift is. It is okay if you haven't discovered your gift, or discovered how to use it yet. It is okay if you thought you were supposed to do one thing, but learned it's not meant for you. You are not a failure. You are still learning about yourself and what you can do. You are only a failure if you completely give up on yourself. You may not be able to do what you dreamed of, but I promise there is something better out there for you that you didn't realize would make you happier than anything this world has to offer. Just remember, you can be what you aspire to become if you are hardworking, careful, and honest with yourself.