Many people don’t see themselves as they really are. Some think they are better than they actually are while others don’t give themselves enough credit. Both of these mistakes can hold you back in life and stop you from getting the opportunities you deserve.
If you overestimate yourself you might assume you already know enough and stop trying to improve. You miss out on chances to grow, learn new things and become better at what you do. A salesperson who thinks they are already great might ignore feedback, avoid training or refuse to try new techniques. Over time they fall behind while others keep learning and improving. The same thing happens in every field. If you think you are better than you really are you might not notice the gaps in your skills until it is too late.
On the other hand if you underestimate yourself you could be settling for less than you deserve. You might be working in a job that is beneath your skill level, accepting a lower salary or avoiding bigger opportunities because you don’t think you are ready. Imagine someone who is actually great at what they do but keeps doubting themselves. Instead of aiming higher they stay in the same position for years while others with less experience but more confidence move ahead.
So how do you find the right balance? First ask for honest feedback from people you trust. Sometimes others can see your strengths and weaknesses better than you can. Compare your skills to industry standards to get a clearer idea of where you stand. Take on new challenges to test yourself. If you do better than expected maybe you have been underestimating yourself all along. And most importantly stay open to learning. No matter how good you are at something there is always room to grow.
Knowing your true skill level helps you make smarter career moves. If you overestimate yourself you might stop improving. If you underestimate yourself you might miss out on bigger opportunities. The key is to see yourself clearly so you can keep moving forward in the right direction.