Two crucial ingredients that help you build your self-esteem are confidence and self-respect. When you respect yourself and believe in your abilities, you develop a positive self-image.
We are about to share something with you that will blow your mind:
Contrary to the widely held belief, a person can’t be overconfident! The loud self-appreciation outbursts that accompany overconfidence do not represent high self-esteem but the lack of self-respect and self-confidence.
We can safely conclude that there is no such thing as “overconfidence.”
Seems confusing, right? However, believing in something, even knowing that you are making impractical assumptions, is exactly what “thinking too much of yourself” or being overconfident is all about.
Below are tips on how to keep yourself in check so that you don’t create trouble for yourself:
Create a Buffer
Let’s assume you are doing a task. You are pretty sure that the task will be completed within an hour. However, you have taken on similar projects multiple times, and all of them took more than an hour. So, schedule in extra time, just in case. Buffers can be used in everything from planning to budgeting and prioritizing.
Contradict Yourself
According to a study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Learning and Memory, overconfidence can be reduced by listing your arguments and then questioning their logic and considering whether you are trying to justify your biases. So, question yourself, but trust your judgment.
Think About the Consequences
Are you sure that the scheme you are investing your money in will be profitable? What if something goes wrong? Now’s the time to think about the worst-case scenario! This will allow you to consider your decision twice before making a move.
Play Devil’s Advocate
Playing devil’s advocate allows you to ask yourself the tough questions. For example, you are starting a new business. Let your strategic thinking take control and answer the following:
What’s so special about your product?
Do you have what it takes to beat your competitor?
Will customers show you loyalty?
You don’t need to be pessimistic. Just have realistic expectations.
Listen to Feedback
By paying attention to feedback, you can identify areas you’re overconfident about. Feedback comes in many forms, such as suggestions, opinions, advice, and outright statements. So, keep your ears open before you destroy your self-respect.
The battle between realistic thinking and overconfidence is never-ending. However, you can avoid mistakes by taking a step back and evaluating your ideas and thoughts. This evaluation will not only help you grow but also make you a better human being. Accountability is another factor that can add credibility to your work. So, be thoughtful, open-minded, and humble.