Do you think anyone can do any job if they work hard?

I could land. Definitely could manage that.
It would be how I landed would be the issue. 🤣

I've known a few children whose bottom has fallen out of their world when they've discovered that they don't have a hope in hell in getting where they always wanted (not all academic), and been encouraged to think that they can do it as long as they work.
Mentally, it was damaging for all, and those I know still struggle with self-esteem.

Definitely not and as PPs have mentioned the “you can do whatever you set your mind to” rhetoric is very misleading and dangerous. It actually does more damage to people’s self esteem long term than being realistic about their aptitude and understanding their limitations.

Having said that, I think wanting to do something goes a surprisingly long way. Sometimes sheer bloody mindedness is more important than inherent ability.

I am awful, utterly awful, at maths. Probably borderline dyscalcula. But I am now in charge of a lot of financial forecasting and budgeting decisions in my job. I got into the industry I work in through verbal and writing ability and would never have been hired as a financial controller or planner but as I have become more senior I have had to learn a lot of this.

If push comes to shove and you have to learn something for work or survival you normally can.

I think it's quite ableist to parrot this tbh. Obviously a blind person can't be a train driver. Complete nonsense and one of those phrases that is just said without thought for the consequences for the sake of having something to say. No better than "she's gone to a better place" (well she was quite happy here) or "all lives matter" (yes but some matter less than others by your value system clearly) or "war is peace, freedom is slavery, ignorance is strength".

It's just the landing that's the issue!

I always wanted to have a go, but I expect that would be me.

I could definitely get off the beam by myself.

Not how anyone would intend, though!

In what way do you think its damaging? Surely it's just another way of encouraging kids to study and get the best exam results they can in school?

Then you can deal with the alternatives ones the penny starts to drop on the kids that their prelim / mocks? / actual exam results are no where near good enough.

Ok you don't have the grades to be a Doctor but alternatives could be nursing, physiotherapist etc

You'd need a hoist to get me on and off the beam

There's a lot of world class football players who have shown to be shit team managers. The motivation/want is definitely there, so is the knowledge, but they still can't do the job.
The military have selection.

Absolutely not. I love doing my job, and although it is hard work, I enjoy it. There are probably other jobs I'd both enjoy and be reasonably good at.
There are a large range of jobs that I could probably do with hard work if I put my mind to it. Some of them, though, would have aspects that would be difficult for me to do well, and not use things I'm good at.
There are a large number of jobs I absolutely couldn't do, either because I lack necessary skills or attributes, or because I'd be bored and fed up. That doesn't mean these are bad jobs, just ones that don't suit my strengths, weaknesses and abilities.

Definitely not. The 'you can do anything you put your mind to' school of thought is very damaging.
My daughter always wanted a certain career , she is not academically able and her stepmother used to tell her she could do it if she put her mind to it, she absolutely can't.

I could never be a cleaner. Not because it's a menial job, far from it. It's one of the most important jobs in the workplace. Imagine an office of about 50 people & no cleaner, the mess after a couple of days would be unthinkable. It's the horror stories I've heard from my friend when she was a cleaner, how disgusting some people really are. She used to clean for a posh lady, you'd think they'd have some standards, but she'd leave her bathroom bin filled up with a few days worth of used period pads, instead of disposing of them herself. No cleaner should have to be made to clean someone's personal waste up like that 🤢

I think everyone has their level.
Their skills & talents.

Some people just aren't cut out to do certain roles, not everyone could pass the exams to be a Doctor or Surgeon.

Not everyone has the ability to be a manager or teacher. Might be good at their job know their stuff but no ability to explain stuff to other people.

Not everyone can cope with the stresses of management.

As much as nobody wants to admit it women aren't as big or strong as men and some jobs do still require a bit of brute strength or height. Who's bright idea was it to put milk on top shelves in Sainsbury's - not a 5ft 2 woman that's for sure!

No - some people are good at some things, and bad at other - visa versa

It depends massively on the job, not only the skills it requires but also how much competition there is for places. You might manage to learn enough to make a passable zoo keeper, but it’s such a popular career that they only hire people who are exceptional, so you’d never get the chance.

Dh believes this- what he doesn’t get is that no matter how hard some people will work and study at something, they may never grasp it, let alone become extremely able at it. I left two of my old jobs because they were too fast paced and I couldn’t figure out some of the core skills needed on a day to day basis- dh thinks had I just asked for more training and worked away at it outside of work I’d have got there. He’ll never be convinced because he’s never not been able to work something out after some work at it

No, I don't. People have their own strengths and weaknesses.

I do believe that with hard work you can improve most skills, but that still doesn't mean you'll be good enough to make it a successful career.

If I had singing lessons I'd be better at singing than I am now. But I'm never going to be Whitney.

No, definitely not. I have one subject that I'm interested in, and reasonably good at. There's nothing else I could do, or would want to do, at any sort of professional level.

@ViolinsPlayGentlyOn how did your maths teacher get on with teaching you all? Did you pass your exams? Did they understand all the theory and methods re horrible algebra etc but just could not add up?
Sorry for all the questions but I'm imagining a brilliantly, clever & eccentric maths teacher

I've done tax - it requires a certain type of memory and a certain type of brain to interpret that. Not sure everyone could do it.

Tax yes, other jobs, eg surgeon, no.

I had to (by mistake / no choice) pass a year 1 degree in joint maths and computing. I really struggled with the maths element. I worked really hard, 4-5 times harder than others and just scraped it so I could give it up and focus on the computing electives for years 2 and 3. So no, it's not always possible to do everything well, no matter how hard you work.

Absolutely not. I have many skiils and probably could be decent at a number of things if I put my mind to it. But I’m well aware that there’s a ton of things that I’d never be able to do for a living. I am crap at art in any form and I have no interest in anything to do with sport or politics or finance.

Different strokes for different folks.

As someone who has severe dyscalculia any career involving more than basic maths would be a no no for me wouldn't be able to do the sums, so no amount of training would get me to any level, squeamish so nursing not on my list

No, not at all. It is so much more than working hard. It is about the aptitude etc too. And some qualities needed for certain jobs can not be learnt (such as empathy).
Sadly, sometimes we try something and fail horribly anyway, despite the fact we worked hard and very much wanted to do it.
I also find it very hard to do anything that I am not interested in.