I read an article recently where researchers discovered that over-confident people are often the least competent. Hold on there! Stop the press! Are you kidding? I have been described as many things in my life--some not as nice as confident--yet that label has been applied to me. I kinda thought that was a good thing; it's always an ego-boost to hear that you're considered something as esteemed as confident (even if you aren't). I guess I always just thought that when people think you're confident, they believe you when you tell them something--because only someone who is certain they're right is going to come across as certain. Actually, I've field tested that theory and it's proven very true (but that's another story).So anyway, I had a moment today where I realized how accurate that research study actually was. The other part of it that's important to mention is the fact that people who are over-confident, yet still less competent, are also they people who fail to see that their confidence is without basis. It's like a negative feedback loop. Too much confidence means you don't check yourself because you know you're right (even if you're wrong). So here's what I did today that proved this point.I've been thinking about ways to become a freelance editor/copy editor and spent part of my morning applying for copy editing projects. I had just finished a proposal for one when I found another. But it was advertised as needing a copy writer, not editor. The ad was so badly edited that I automatically assumed they were mistaking the term "copy writer" for "copy editor," and I blindly proceeded to write them a proposal touting my copy editing skills, and sent the email off feeling full of benevolence for not pointing out their obvious mistake.It wasn't until later, while reflecting back on the post, that it hit me smack in the brain like a ripe tomato. Yeah, I was the one who made the mistake. They knew what they wanted and were asking specifically for it: someone to write advertising copy. Not someone to edit their copy for them. Doh! I don't think I'm going to get that project. But I certainly have learned a lesson. I'm sometimes not as all that as I think I am might be a good idea for me to remember that more often.