7 subtle signs you’re underestimating your own intelligence

Have you ever wondered if you’re smarter than you think?

It’s a question that many of us ask ourselves from time to time, and for good reason. 

The thing is, figuring out how smart someone is can be tricky because intelligence is so complex and difficult to measure accurately. 

However, we also often forget that intelligence is a spectrum, which means we all have different strengths and weaknesses. 

The key is to understand how your mind works best and identify your own unique way of thinking so you can nurture and harness it.

In this article, we’ll explore seven of the most common signs that you may not be giving yourself enough credit.

1) You constantly make self-deprecating jokes about your own intelligence

When you keep making jokes about how stupid you are, it might seem harmless, but it’s actually a subtle sign that you might be underestimating your own intelligence. 

There’s no denying that humor can be a way to cope with insecurities, but if you’re not mindful, it can also reinforce negative beliefs about yourself. 

The truth is, constantly putting yourself down, even in a joking way, can affect how you perceive your abilities.

How do you think today’s artificial intelligence (AI) works? This computer program uses algorithms and patterns. When AI learns, it’s finding connections in the data it’s given.

Similarly, when you keep saying things like, “I’m so dumb” or “I can never figure these things out,” you’re sending a message to your brain that you lack intelligence. 

Don’t get me wrong; it’s okay to make fun of yourself sometimes. I personally love it when someone doesn’t take themselves too seriously. 

But don’t let humor become an excuse to put yourself down. The mind is powerful, and the way we talk about ourselves can shape our self-esteem and confidence. 

2) You don’t advocate for yourself in situations where you should

Imagine you’re on a group project at school, and you have this brilliant idea, but you stay quiet because you think others might know better. 

Or maybe at work, there’s a job opportunity you’re interested in, but you don’t apply because you doubt your abilities. 

In these situations, you’re not advocating for yourself. When you underestimate your intelligence, you tend to doubt your ideas out of fear of being wrong or rejected. 

Unfortunately, this negative belief about your own intelligence can cause you to make the unconscious mistake of viewing your own existence through a limited lens.

You might have the tendency to trade away your talents, your skills, and your visions in exchange for the bare minimum. 

Which is why it’s not surprising that the same people who underestimate their intelligence are most likely to ask for too little money for their hard work.

They might also compromise their authenticity and give up the possibility of thriving for the sake of surviving. 

3) You tend to play it safe and rarely share your thoughts openly

Fear of speaking your mind because you worry others might know better or become triggered can be a sign that you’re underestimating your intelligence.

I used to do this a lot. I’d avoid talking about certain topics, even though I had valid points to share, because I was afraid of making others uncomfortable or angry.

As part of my healing journey, I realized that everyone has a right to their own thoughts and opinions. It was incredibly liberating to be able to speak my mind without constantly worrying about how others might react.

But you know what else I realized? 

I realized that when I spoke my mind, I often encouraged others to do the same. By sharing my thoughts openly and honoring my truth, I created a space for honest conversations.

Some people agreed with me, and some didn’t, and that was okay. 

I learned that diversity of opinions can lead to valuable discussions and that even in disagreements, there’s a chance to learn something new.

4) You overthink simple decisions and second-guess your choices

This reminds me of the time when I had to choose a topic for a college project. It was supposed to be something I was interested in, but I spent days stressing about making the perfect choice. 

I kept second-guessing myself, thinking I might not pick something “smart” enough or interesting to my classmates. In the end, I chose a topic I wasn’t really passionate about, just because I thought it might sound impressive. 

Halfway through my presentation, I already knew that it backfired on me because it lacked the enthusiasm I would have had if I had chosen something I was genuinely passionate about.

It simply wasn’t as engaging as I thought it would be. 

So what’s the takeaway here?

Always trust your own judgment and intuition. When you’re faced with a decision, take some time to reflect on your values and what’s important to you. 

Then, make a choice that aligns with those values, even if it’s not the most popular or conventional choice.

5) You struggle with accepting compliments about your intelligence or achievements

This can manifest as someone praising your intelligence or a great thing you did, but instead of saying “thank you,” you might not know how to respond.

You might even think they’re not being sincere or that you don’t really deserve the praise, so you might play it down by saying:

“It’s not as impressive as it sounds.”

“I didn’t do that well, actually.”

“I could have done better.”

“I think you overestimate my abilities.”

You might also have the tendency to attribute your success to luck. 

But here’s the thing: saying that your success is all luck takes away from the effort you put in. Sure, luck can play a role, but it’s your hard work and skills that are the main drivers of your success.

Remember, selling yourself short is not really a sign of humility. In fact, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not acknowledging your own intelligence and skills.

In reality, you might be way smarter and more capable than you give yourself credit for.

6) You hyper-focus on your mistakes and failures

Everyone makes mistakes, even the smartest people. 

It’s how we evolve and become the greatest versions of ourselves. But if you only focus on the negatives, you’re basically not giving yourself grace and room to grow. 

And if you grew up as a high-achiever, you may be underestimating your own intelligence to a greater extent.

That’s because when you’ve always been seen as someone who achieves a lot and is not allowed to fail or disappoint, you tend to strive for perfection in everything you do. 

As The Holistic Psychologist explains, “many children are raised in homes where they’re expected to perform, achieve, and compete to provide self-worth to a parent. Then we wonder why we have a society of anxious adults.” 

If this resonates with you, it’s never too late to be kinder to yourself. 

Embrace the fact that your intelligence shines through not just in your successes but also in your ability to handle challenges and bounce back from setbacks. 

7) You feel like an impostor

When you suffer from impostor syndrome, you tend to have the unconscious, sabotaging belief that you’re not good enough, even though you are. 

Your brain tells you that you’re a fraud and that people are going to find out. 

Impostor syndrome is also common, even among intelligent and successful people. I’ve personally experienced it, and I know it can be difficult to overcome.

But one of the most effective ways that I’ve come up with to overcome this annoying feeling is to collect evidence of my achievements, both big and small. 

For example, I made it a habit to take screenshots of positive feedback and notes of appreciation from people who loved my work. 

So when I’m feeling like a fraud, I just review my evidence folder. It’s a reminder that my work has meaning and purpose, and that always validates my passion and reignites my creativity.

On top of this, I like to challenge the negative thought by asking myself: 

• “Is there any evidence to support this thought?”
• “Have I done this before?”
• “Have I received positive feedback from others?” 
• “Have I prepared for this as best I can?” 

If the answer to these questions is yes, then I know that my self-doubt is probably just impostor syndrome talking. 

With this awareness, I take a deep breath, get back to work, and just do my best again.

Final thoughts

Underestimating your intelligence is one of the most insidious ways to sabotage your success. 

But what if you believed in your abilities completely? Just imagine:

You could start your own business and turn your passion into a job you love. You could write a book or learn a new language. You could be a leader who creates more leaders!

Or maybe you would simply feel more sure of yourself and live your life on your own terms.

The point is, there’s no limit to what you could do. So trust in your inner magic, because you’ll never know where it could take you.