We often think of life as a 'race where you run only forward.'
We struggle desperately to prove how great a person we are by building qualifications higher than others and handing out more flashy business cards.
However, sometimes that splendid crown becomes a weight pressing down on oneself, blocking the path one truly needs to take.
Upon returning home with his Ph.D., his future seemed destined for smooth sailing.
But reality was harsh. His excessively high academic qualifications actually became a burden for companies.
Words of rejection like, "You are too talented for our company to handle." Caught between an empty wallet and shattered pride, he made a decision.
He tucked his Ph.D. and Master's degree certificates deep into his desk drawer. And then, holding a resume listing only the minimum qualifications of a 'high school or junior college graduate,' he stepped back out into the world. The first job he obtained was that of a simple 'data entry clerk.' People around him might have said, 'Is that all you studied for, and that's all you're doing?' But he didn't care. Rather than trying to prove his 'reputation,' he began to focus on the 'essence of the work' right before his eyes. His work was simple: entering numbers and checking for typos. However, the meticulousness he had acquired while pursuing a doctoral degree could not be hidden.
He found a logic error in the program that other employees carelessly overlooked and came up with an idea to improve the inefficient input method.
When his boss asked in skepticism, he cautiously revealed that he finally had a bachelor's degree.
The boss was surprised and assigned him to a department suited to his major.His success continued in the new department as well.
He presented original solutions that typical college graduates had not thought of and saw through the correlations between complex data.
When the president called him in to ask for his secret, he finally confessed that he had a master's degree.
And when his performance reached its peak, the doctoral degree he had kept hidden in his bag finally came out into the world.People did not accuse him of 'deceiving'.
Rather, I felt awe at the humility he displayed and the skill that overwhelmed that humility.
Because he did not want to be treated as a doctor from the start, he was able to present a 'moving twist' that surpassed the expectations of those around him at every moment.
If someone evaluates me higher than I actually am, from that moment on, every action becomes a 'break-even.'
Even a slight mistake causes disappointment, and eventually, you receive a cold look that says, "He's not as impressive as I thought."
Conversely, if someone evaluates me lower, that difference becomes a 'space of opportunity' where I can freely navigate. Every talent I display becomes a refreshing shock, and people build up new respect for me. In Korean sentiment, there is a saying that "the more ripe the rice plant becomes, the lower its head." This does not simply mean to humble oneself, but is also connected to the "strategy of a reclusive master" who cultivates substance to allow others to discover their own value. Retreat is not defeat, but a "crouching" for a leap. We are sometimes afraid to step back. We worry constantly about our careers being interrupted, falling behind others, or our value appearing diminished.
However, like the protagonist in this novel, sometimes you need the courage to take a step back and start with the 'minimal self.'
When you set aside the flashy modifiers that defined you for a moment and persuade others solely through your skills and attitude, your image becomes even more solid and robust.
It may seem small at first, but as time passes, its roots will take deep and its branches will become abundant.
Are you feeling frustrated right now because the world doesn't recognize your value? Or are you suffocating because of overly high expectations? If so, try relaxing for a moment. Enjoy being underestimated.
Your true abilities are bound to eventually pierce through your pockets like an awl.
