Underdog Expectations

Have you ever been in a situation where others expected you to fail? Maybe your boss didn't think you had what it took to lead a project. Or investors told you that your idea was unlikely to take off. New research shows that "underdog expectatios" like these can actually motivate people to try to prove others wrong, leading to better performance. Here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that being an underdog will lead to success.

1. Build your own confidence by identifying the skills and qualities that can help you succeed. People who have a requisite level of self-confidence and maintain this in spite of experiencing underdog expectations are more likely to prove those expectations wrong.

2. If you want to stay motivated in the face of underdog expecations, you need to think about why those expectations aren't credible. Consider why observers who see you as an underdog might not have an accurate picture of how effective you are or why you can be successful.

3) Trying to prove others wrong is a double-edged sword and it can cause serious anxiety. Reappraising anxiety as excitement, preparing for potential setbacks, or developing a pre-performance ritual can help you manage it.

 

Adapted from "The Upside of Being an Underdog," by Samir Nurmohamed