There may be times when believing you’re better than you are does no harm, or may even help you. It depends on the situation and what’s at stake, but it’s usually best not to overestimate yourself.

Believing you’re a champion before you become one might help you in a sport like boxing, but in a game like poker, that same overconfidence can lead to financial ruin.

Studies have shown that most people believe they’re above average, which means that many of us are overestimating our abilities.

The bliss of ignorance may sometimes be worth it, but since the cost of being wrong can be very high, it’s better to be completely honest with yourself.

We should be careful not to underestimate our potential, though. We all have the potential to become better than we currently are.