I don't think a more accurate perception of one's own potential is depressing. Giving things a shot has costs. If you undertake risky or costly ventures because

I don't think a more accurate perception of one's own potential is depressing. Giving things a shot has costs. If you undertake risky or costly ventures because you have an inflated idea of your own abilities, most people are going to cause themselves real harm, and others too for that matter. The happiest countries in the world are generally the Nordics and the Dutch, known for shunning this sort of exceptionalism.