When you are confronted with a new or stressful task or situation, you may begin to doubt your talents, strengths, or abilities. Underestimating yourself can cause anxiety or stress, and it may prevent you from trying something new.

Is it normal to underestimate yourself?

It's normal to have some doubts, especially as an entrepreneur where you have to plow into uncharted territory. But don't fall into the trap of underestimating yourself as a matter of habit, because that quickly stops you from achieving your best. You probably are underestimating yourself if the following are true.

What does it mean to underestimate yourself?

To underestimate is to guess that something is worth less or is smaller than it really is. You might underestimate the size of a one-pound hamburger until you realize it's too big to fit in your stomach. When you "estimate" you take a guess at something, and when you underestimate, your guess falls short or below.