You sound as if you're doing well, professionally. Esteem from your work comrades, who share your work environment and it's challenges, is not to be taken lightly . . . you have excelled, given what you have to work with.

Personally, I thought in my younger years, that I could understand anything, given enough study time.

Further, I thought I could (probably) suggest innovations, if circumstances permitted, after that time of study.

I'm older now . . . and realize that I can both contribute to innovation . . . and stand aside in admiration when others innovate without my input.

There's a certain utility in that. No one can do it all; time is limited . . .