is there a yardstick to measure how correct you are about thinking what you deserve and what you really deserve?
that single point always eludes me, and i can't remember how many times i've given it serious thought lol
Maybe using the word deserve wasn't such a great way to put it. There are many decent guys and girls out there who 'deserve' to be with someone, yet still haven't met someone they've clicked with. This is the way of the world sadly, the only thing you can do is be the best person you can be.
A good starting point would be to give yourself an honest character 'review'. Are you an interesting person, can you hold a conversation, stand by your beliefs and opinions, keep in good shape, confident with who you are, have goals and ambitions, have hobbies etc.
Any positive trait you have, there's no real reason your partner shouldn't. But on the flip-side, if you don't have many positive attributes, you can't realistically expect to find someone who does.
So be honest with yourself, improve yourself to be the best person you can, and you'll deserve the same.