I like being smart.
I don't always feel smart, but I do like when I'm able to answer people's questions and give enough information that people are satisfied with my answers. I'm specifically talking about my job here. I take phone calls and help people place orders, and I love the feeling of helping people. I love when the customers have a problem that they think will be a huge deal, but then I'm able to do something simple (or even not so simple) to help them through it.
This is in contrast to the calls I get when people insist on asking me questions about areas that I'm not trained in. I've gotten good at just transferring people to the right department, but then you always get those calls where someone insists on keeping you on the phone and asks you the same questions over and over-- in different ways-- just so you have to keep telling them over and over that you don't know.
And then I feel stupid.
But I'm actually a smart person. I know lots of random facts and details, and I'm really good at remembering names. I'm also really good at a lot of other things, which is why I notice such a drastic contrast when I'm really bad at things.
I can't skateboard.
I can't play the guitar.
I can't remember numbers.
I can't remember Utah addresses (refer to above).
I can't do chemistry.
I can't keep my room clean.
Otherwise I'm pretty competent.