Think You’re Not Good Enough? Read This.

Am I Not Good Enough?

A girlfriend of mine whom I personally think is incredibly intelligent and open-minded said this during one of our recent gatherings.

I was shocked, because I’ve always found her to be one of the fastest thinkers among us. She picks up complex ideas in a snap.

But then I realised… this was the Dunning-Kruger Effect at play.

She had just started a new job and was overwhelmed by the steep learning curve. That’s when I recognised it: she was in what we call the Valley of Despair.

If you’ve ever doubted yourself the more you learned, or watched someone confidently get things totally wrong… keep reading.

What Is the Dunning-Kruger Effect?

The Dunning-Kruger Effect is a psychological phenomenon where

People with low ability in a certain area tend to overestimate their competence.
Those with high ability tend to underestimate themselves.

Or more cheekily put:

The less you know, the more confident you feel. The more you know, the more you realise you don’t know.

Where It Shows Up

In the workplace: That one colleague who talks like they know everything… but barely scratches the surface.
In school: When you think the exam was “so easy” and then… 🫠
On social media: "Experts with unknown credentials" sharing definitive life advice.

Looking at myself... haha!

Why It Happens

People who lack knowledge or skills also lack the awareness to recognise their own limitations.

Meanwhile, people who are actually skilled are more likely to see the nuances, gaps, and complexities so they become more humble (or even self-doubting).

This feeling of knowing more but feeling less sure sometimes even overlaps with Impostor Syndrome, where capable people doubt their own abilities despite clear evidence of success.

How It Often Looks

Here's a classic confidence vs. competence graph:

Peak of Mount Stupid – “I know everything!” 🙋‍♀️
Valley of Despair – “Oh no… there’s so much I don’t know.” 😩
Slope of Enlightenment – “I’m learning and improving!” 🧗‍♀️
Plateau of Sustainability – “I know a lot, and I also know there’s more to learn.” 🤓

My Real-Life Lessons

1. A Confident Colleague

I once worked with someone who had years of experience in a similar environment, while I was relatively new in that particular setting. Naturally, I assumed they’d know more than me and could guide the way.

But I started noticing small inconsistencies, mistakes kept happening, and this individual would downplay them, saying it was just part of the job. Even with my own experience, I found myself second-guessing what I knew. She sounded so sure of herself - maybe I was the one who didn’t get it?

Looking back, it was a classic Dunning-Kruger moment on both sides. Her confidence likely came from familiarity, not necessarily depth. And my doubt? That came from underestimating my own instincts and experience.

When I gently suggested we explore more training, the response was:

“Why should I? I’ve done this for years. No one else ever asked me to do more.”

Eventually, the gap between confidence and competence became clear, not just to me, but to the rest of the team as well.

The lesson? It’s not about how long you’ve done something. It’s about how open you are to keep learning, adapting, and growing.

2. Trusting the Wrong People

When I started a business, I brought in teammates who seemed super confident about managing finances and strategy.

I had run businesses before and handled accounts myself, but because these folks were so vocal about how “great” they were (even though they hadn’t built anything of their own), I deferred to them.

Big mistake.

Their overconfidence led to poor decisions, ignored feedback and ultimately zero growth. When they left (and took their poor management practices with them), our revenue jumped by 50%.

The most ironic part? I was already aware of the Dunning-Kruger Effect… but somehow, I still fell for it.

A Reflection on Confidence

Recently, I asked my husband what first drew him to me 12 years ago. He said, “I liked how confident you were.”

Funny thing is… I barely remember what that version of me felt like.

Even some long-time friends told me I’d lost my spark.

And I started to wonder what had changed.

I think it's because I can just see how much I don’t know now. And honestly? I don’t want to make a fool of myself. Looking back, I was probably standing proudly at the Peak of Mount Stupid when I was younger. 😅

But as I’ve learned and grown, I’ve gotten quieter. More cautious. I told myself to listen more than I speak.

Finally...

Please don’t get me wrong - I’m not saying we shouldn’t be confident.

But if you’re feeling unsure… if you’re doubting yourself… if you’re wondering,

“Am I not good enough?”

Maybe you’re just in the Valley of Despair.

And if that’s where you are? You’re actually further along than you think.

Because the hardest part of growth is learning when to stay humble and when to own your brilliance.

These days, I tell myself - I do know a lot. But I can always learn more.

And truth is - the Dunning-Kruger Effect can creep in anytime we start learning something new. So don’t be surprised if it shows up again and again, in different areas of your life. It’s completely normal.

That’s why I believe I’m now at the Plateau of Sustainability where confidence and curiosity finally live in harmony.

I hope this post has been useful. What stage do you think you’re in right now? Leave me a comment. I’d love to hear your thoughts and cheer you on in your journey too.

Your friend,

Juliana