Humility and Ego Management

1 I am often humbled by not being able to do basic tasks or having basic knowledge that I have not spent time on learning. Those around me are often surprised by some of my struggles considering my creative output on my own projects and insights from topics I have studied for a long while. Some are under the false impression that because I have a deep understanding of some things that I'm not ignorant on other things that they find trivial.

2 This has caused me some embarrassment for me ― I appreciate some of it for keeping my ego in check. When I move from an environment or discussion where I am used to being more knowledgable on a subject ― and acted more arrogant in ― to one where one I do not know anything in I often feel guilty that I did not show restraint when the tables were flipped. Even if it is not the same people in the new environment or discussion I always feel bad for being assertive in the past as I prefer others being understanding while I am myself struggling. This guilt has often been the barrier for me asking for help.

3 I do not to say "I told you so" to people I prove wrong because at some point I was also ignorant and may have needed to be corrected myself. I also used to reflexively call people retarded which put most real-life people off from talking to me again. It is pragmatic to retain basic respect for people that have said ill-informed or even harmful things. [As a Christian] I always try to treat people with respect and to forgive others because it is part of my ethical code.

4 A lot of wisdom comes down to time spent on study and the amount of exposure to different experiences: Those that can see and solve problems seemingly inhumanly fast are able to do so likely because they have dealt with or have seen similar problems in the past. But being more "naturally intelligent" doesn't make someone a better person anyhow.