Do you always stay within the range of your abilities or do you venture out to complete in places where you will always be outclassed? Why?

 I'm confident in what I know I'm good at doing Addb but I also know my inadequacies/limitations and I would never ever venture forth in an arena where I KNEW going in I was outclassed. You are braver than me. Maybe you're a lot smarter, a lot more talented than me. I have always thought modesty/being humble was a good thing. Maybe it isn't. Thank you for your reply! :)

Modesty and being humble are good things... and I would never say differently.. I am one of the most self-deprecating people there is.. However, I am taking this in the bigger picture sense... self-development..  We often don't know what we are good at until we try.. and of course in trying we can become better... I know that for sure as my job involves something I am intrinsically not good at.. but it's my job.. I have to do it.. and I have become much, much better at it...

So what I am saying is... we shouldn't limit ourselves... we often do.. we can be afraid to try new things for fear of failure or looking silly... That's kinda wrong isn't it? It keeps people trapped, sometimes in limiting or negative situations... but human beings are remarkable animals.. we can survive so much, do so much more than we think we can... 

So that's where my comments are coming from.. and from that perspective I say that being humble and trying new things, taking on new challenges even if we think we won't be good at them... are not mutually exclusive :) 

and no, I am not smarter than anyone.. I feel the same fear and trepidation.. but I don't *usually* or don't *always* let it stop me :)

Your point is well made. The best boss I ever had (the smartest one too) was the one who kept pushing me to do what I didn't know I could do. He saw something there within me I didn't know existed. I more than likely tend to underestimate simply because I don't want to disappoint people. I would far rather surprise them with what I do(and myself too) than fall short and be unable to carry through. I'm not brave. I am confident about what I've succeeded in doing because I have tracks. But the unknown? I'm sure I do limit myself and maybe I could surprise myself but it takes being really brave to go out on a limb like that. I guess I'm not!  Thank you for your reply Addb! :)