4 ms·
Ask HN: Is it better to underestimate or overestimate your abilities?
Teachers seem to want you to reach your full potential, but maybe it is better to underestimate your abilities?
- solarmist 4y agoNurture your skills, but ensure your weaknesses don’t hold you back. And work hard to find blind spots. Everyone can see the happy path. Being able to see and avoid bad outcomes is usually more valuable than raw skill.
- themodelplumber 4y agoI like a mix of both? Overestimate for resting/hobby dream time (motivation building for task momentum), underestimate for pragmatic planning to reach your dreams (execution for sustainable effort).
- inphovore 4y agoUndeceive the self. Do not regard your abilities at all. Take every opportunity to be a more full self. Modern living makes mediocrity easy living. If that’s fine for you, you will be in good company. If you truly want to reach your “full potential” comfort, convenience, and congratulations are your enemy. Do things the hard way and for your own reasons, and you will then know the accomplishment as your own.
- markus_zhang 4y agoI'm wondering how can one reach or close to full potential?
- inphovore 4y agoDecades of refinement. Take good care of yourself (as your mind body link is not to be denied.) Learn everything that interests you in great depth (not merely superficial familiarity.) Live lean (for excess and frivolousness will undo your best efforts.) And remember, decades!
- fuzzfactor 4y agoLooks like some good philosophy for long-term improving abilities. Easier said than done but I agree.
- markus_zhang 4y agoThanks. It's indeed very hard.
- goethes_kind 4y agoThere is a level at which your skills and abilities will resonate. You should aim to be at this level. Of course you should rise above jobs that are too easy. But also do not try to become someone you are not. You'll just burn out. Being at the right level will allow you to be the most productive, resulting in more value for your employer/clients and then it is up to you to negotiate that into a higher income.
- deleted 4y ago[deleted]
- fuzzfactor 4y agoYou're going to need to be comfortable with both. They're just estimates so they can never be completely correct. You need to be able to deal with it either way. Regardless it's usually best to consistently underpromise and overdeliver.
- faangiq 4y agoThe world heavily incentivizes and rewards overconfidence.