Apart from the desire to learn those skills that you state is driven by fear, with a bit of introspection can you cut through that and articulate your actual core desires? i.e. when you're able to quiet that nagging voice, what topics/subjects/work bring you true joy/pleasure? Put differently — if you had infinite money what would you want to spend your time working on?
I asked myself that question 2 years ago and there were alot of occasions where I picked up a project but then would lose interest a few months into it when the going got hard.
I think this is a good question that everyone at some stage of their life will need to ask to grow beyond what society and peers demands of you, but don't make this out to be the silver bullet like I did because I'm still on that path and I have no idea if I'm getting any closer to an answer... damn! hehe
