"من الجيد دائمًا أن تُقلل قيمتك"

Being underestimated can actually be a surprising advantage. When people don’t expect much from you, it gives you the freedom to exceed their expectations and take them by surprise. Imagine walking into a room where nobody thinks you’ll have much to offer. The expectation is low, which means you have a golden opportunity to shine without the pressure of high expectations. You can work quietly and strategically, and before they know it, you’ve made a big impact.

This idea comes up often in history and personal stories. Think of Albert Einstein. Early in his life, teachers and even some family members didn’t see his potential. He had trouble communicating and was thought to be slow. But as we know, he went on to revolutionize our understanding of physics. He didn’t let the low expectations hold him back. Instead, he used them as a shield to explore and innovate without constant scrutiny.

Let’s dive into a real-life example. Picture a small tech startup in the late 1990s. It’s not Google or Amazon, just a tiny company called PayPal. Banks and other financial institutions didn’t see them as a threat. In fact, they were largely ignored. But this gave PayPal the space to disrupt the industry and grow rapidly without facing immediate pushback. By the time the big players noticed, PayPal had already built a substantial user base and was well on its way to success. They used being underestimated as a strategy to operate under the radar and innovate.

Now, how can you use this in your own life? First, embrace situations where you’re underestimated. Don’t let it discourage you. Use it as motivation. You have an opening to do your best work without the weight of expectations pressing down on you. Second, keep your goals and plans to yourself. There’s power in working quietly. People can’t critique a strategy they don’t know about. And third, surprise people. Deliver your best work when they least expect it. The shock value of exceeding low expectations can be incredibly rewarding and can leave a lasting impression.

Here’s a relatable scenario. Think about a high school student who’s always been average in math. She’s not the top of her class and teachers don’t expect her to excel. Instead of feeling down, she decides to work hard in silence. She studies late into the night, practices problems on the weekends, and maybe even gets some extra help. When the final exams come around, she ends up getting one of the highest scores in the class. Her peers are shocked, her teachers are surprised, and she feels an immense sense of accomplishment. By being underestimated, she was able to prepare quietly and then make a big impact when it counted.

So next time you find yourself being underestimated, remember it’s not a bad thing. It’s a chance. A chance to fly under the radar, to work hard in peace, and to make a big splash when the time is right. It’s like having a secret weapon that nobody knows about until it’s too late. Take that underestimation and turn it into your superpower.