Under Performing

I think I under perform because at a lower performance level others don't expect much. At higher levels they expect much more. Even though I think, and some times know I can perform at a much higher level, I think I hold back to avoid the ridicule if I don't perform at that higher level.

Do you under perform to avoid performance expectations?

I under perform because i don't like the attention when i do a good job and then i stick out and people make a big deal about it.

Depends on the situation, I suppose. If it's academia, I won't intentionally underperform. I don't necessarily try my best, but I still turn into a complete wreck if I do poorly at something that I know how to do. However, I won't make it obvious to others. For example, I will rarely contribute to class discussions, even on topics of relative interest, and I will pretend to not be great at what I'm doing in front of others (seeing as I typically do get straight A's without really trying too much). When I am in some way complimented or "singled out" for my good performance, I have a very difficult time reacting to it.

At college or tafe as we call it, i try my best but tend to struggle. I consider myself smart, but atm im learning a subject that im interested in but dont have any prior experience. I hate it because teachers expect you to know about the subject, even though were there to learn, its really frustrating asking a teacher for help, and getting a you should know it already answer, and not getting any help whatsoever. Its alot of responsibilty on my part to study by myself and learn it myself.

Im 23 and this is my first time in tafe/college. The past 5 years i spent working at some factory, and hiding in my room, so its kinda been tough. Lately ive gotten adobe flash on my home computer so i can practice the exercises were doing atm.

Depends on the situation, I suppose. If it's academia, I won't intentionally underperform. I don't necessarily try my best, but I still turn into a complete wreck if I do poorly at something that I know how to do. However, I won't make it obvious to others. For example, I will rarely contribute to class discussions, even on topics of relative interest, and I will pretend to not be great at what I'm doing in front of others (seeing as I typically do get straight A's without really trying too much). When I am in some way complimented or "singled out" for my good performance, I have a very difficult time reacting to it.

I'm the same, apart that I found a way to participate in class without making an intelligent impression. It's possible to formulate good ideas as stupid questions. I know this is REALLY stupid, but if I don't do it that way I don't participate at all.

I do feel I under perform, because of two reasons:
1. I set high standards for myself because I'm convinced I'm capable of much more if I only were to use my full potential.
2. I work very ineffectively because I tend to get distracted very quickly. I wish I could focus all my brainpower on a certain task, but I just can't.

Other than that, when I was still in an educational environment, I suppose I was pretty much like Cosmos. I would underplay my own abilities to others, not put in much effort and still get pretty good grades.