Being the gym midget I can relate to this. I think it's best not to underestimate your strengths. As a fastish midget it is my best bet to go in off of my opponent's attack and to assume I must make some sort of evasive action between every combo I throw. I'm not strong enough to charge through but I can counter a little.

I guess my point is that I find that if I get too angry or emotional I walk into more because I forget my defence. I also try to throw more big punches so I add my own power to my opponents punches. I think when feeling threatened as a novice it can be natural to forget to defend AND attack. It's easier to only do one or the other but it hurts more.

I don't know if this is relevant to you or not and I'm not explaining myself very well but good luck anyway and let us know how it goes .