Can being unrealistic about ourselves be good?

“It’s commonly assumed that normal, well-adjusted people have realistic views of their own potential.

“And it is also commonly assumed that those who do not have realistic self-concepts are very possibly neurotic or unbalanced.

“Are these assumptions true? I’ll have to say absolutely not.

“As a psychologist, the healthiest and happiest people I’ve known are totally unrealistic about themselves. In short – they have what some might call “unrealistically optimistic illusions” about their own capabilities and potential.”

From article Stop Being Realistic, By Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler