How to Control Your Overconfidence

Be honest with yourself first., Do not compare yourself with others., Test yourself cautiously., Listen to criticism, especially constructive criticism from people you trust., Treat commitments seriously., Take time to look at your failures, or...

17 Steps 2 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Be honest with yourself first.

    When you carefully consider your abilities, you should begin to recognize your limits.
  2. Step 2: Do not compare yourself with others.

    Overconfidence is a way of depreciating other people's talents, skills, and abilities.

    Just because someone else can get "serious air" on an 8 foot (2.4 m) half pipe doesn't mean you can.

    They have paid their dues with practice, and probably lots of bruises. , Don't dive off the high board until you have made lots of trips to the low board and worked on intermediate levels. , This may be one of the most important steps in abating your overconfidence.

    This is not necessarily to say critics are always right, far from it.

    There is a possibility they are right, and because they see you from a different perspective, you should hear them out. , Overconfidence can cause you to over commit yourself.

    When you tell someone you will do something, be realistic in how much effort and time it will take.

    Promising to help paint a buddy's car, even though have never done it, may turn into a three day project if you are a victim of your own overconfidence. , Not only will this help you to shape a realistic measure of your ability, it will help you to focus on skills, strengths, or other qualities that you need to work on. , We all see superhuman feats and stunts on TV, and movies like Jackass take these to extremes, but these are accomplished by talented, unique individuals who often train all of their lives in their own disciplines.

    Sure, gymnasts make the parallel bars look easy, you don't know how many gallons of sweat it took to get to that level. , If you take an overconfident view of easy success, and you fail, you may become discouraged and give up too soon.

    Rumor has it, Albert Einstein was lousy in grade school. ,
  3. Step 3: Test yourself cautiously.

  4. Step 4: Listen to criticism

  5. Step 5: especially constructive criticism from people you trust.

  6. Step 6: Treat commitments seriously.

  7. Step 7: Take time to look at your failures

  8. Step 8: or incidences when you did not achieve your own personal goals.

  9. Step 9: Keep fantasies separate from realities.

  10. Step 10: Try new sports

  11. Step 11: activities

  12. Step 12: or pursuits with a goal

  13. Step 13: and work your way up to it.

  14. Step 14: Remember you are a unique person with your own talents

  15. Step 15: skills

  16. Step 16: and goals

  17. Step 17: and confidence or overconfidence can be a pitfall to be avoided if you mix modesty with your enthusiasm.

Detailed Guide

When you carefully consider your abilities, you should begin to recognize your limits.

Overconfidence is a way of depreciating other people's talents, skills, and abilities.

Just because someone else can get "serious air" on an 8 foot (2.4 m) half pipe doesn't mean you can.

They have paid their dues with practice, and probably lots of bruises. , Don't dive off the high board until you have made lots of trips to the low board and worked on intermediate levels. , This may be one of the most important steps in abating your overconfidence.

This is not necessarily to say critics are always right, far from it.

There is a possibility they are right, and because they see you from a different perspective, you should hear them out. , Overconfidence can cause you to over commit yourself.

When you tell someone you will do something, be realistic in how much effort and time it will take.

Promising to help paint a buddy's car, even though have never done it, may turn into a three day project if you are a victim of your own overconfidence. , Not only will this help you to shape a realistic measure of your ability, it will help you to focus on skills, strengths, or other qualities that you need to work on. , We all see superhuman feats and stunts on TV, and movies like Jackass take these to extremes, but these are accomplished by talented, unique individuals who often train all of their lives in their own disciplines.

Sure, gymnasts make the parallel bars look easy, you don't know how many gallons of sweat it took to get to that level. , If you take an overconfident view of easy success, and you fail, you may become discouraged and give up too soon.

Rumor has it, Albert Einstein was lousy in grade school. ,

About the Author

L

Lori Bishop

Enthusiastic about teaching creative arts techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.

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