The key moment for me when I first had an inkling that being smart wasn't enough on it's own came at my grade 11 math final exam.

I finished it in 45 minutes. No problem. Got an 88%. Felt awesome. Simon, the prototype of the "jock" football player, took the full 2.5 hours offered on the same exam. He got a 99%.

It bothered me for years because it went against everything I knew. I was smarter, so I deserved the better grade. I finished so much faster than him! If I'd spent the full 2.5 hours I'm sure I'd have gotten 100%... But I didn't do that.

It took until college before I finally came to understand: nobody cares how clever you are. There are no points for that in life. Points are for getting things done, for accomplishments.

(I should also mention that despite the jock stereotype of acting superior, etc, Simon was one of the nicest guys!)