The first step is to acknowledge your imperfections. It’s critical to have a mindset in which you see yourself as flawed. ... Another part of the winner’s paradox, then, is that confidence allows you to own your flaws. Confidence begets humility and a recognition, no matter how good you are, that you have a lot to learn. And knowing that you’re a long way from perfect doesn’t make you feel ashamed—it makes you excited, because you get to continue your pursuit of excellence and keep improving as you go.