Every person aspires to achieve success, but how can one truly walk the path to success? A Korean-American immigrant in the United States, who was a former Navy SEAL member, graduated from Harvard Medical School, and is now an astronaut, stated that embracing a moderate level of insecurity can lead to tremendous success.
Many individuals tend to conceal their feelings of insecurity, especially in the workplace. You might not want your boss to know you are nervous about public speaking before a big presentation, or you may not want your friends to know you fear making mistakes at work.
According to a report by CNBC on August 12, however, 41-year-old Jonny Kim believes that these feelings of doubt can actually help you achieve great success.
Kim is a legendary figure within the Asian-American community, who on April 8 this year, took off aboard the Alliance spacecraft to the International Space Station along with two Russian astronauts.
In 2005, Kim joined the Navy SEAL Team Three, serving in roles such as a medical technician and sniper. During two deployments to Iraq, he received the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medals for his actions in saving injured comrades. He later attended Harvard Medical School, where he crossed paths with astronaut Scott Parazynski, who is a doctor by profession. Today, Kim is a candidate for NASA’s lunar exploration mission (and possibly even a Mars exploration mission).
Kim has served as a combat medic on various naval missions. In a podcast episode titled “A Bit of Optimism” by bestselling author Simon Sinek, aired on August 5, he openly admitted that in that role, he accepted that he didn’t always have the answers, but doing everything in his power to save lives was his duty.
“I believe that insecurity is a common issue we all face, it’s a part of human nature,” Kim said. “I think a moderate level of insecurity can control humility, or suppress arrogance.”
Kim further added that the period of “lacking confidence in his own abilities” was a pivotal moment in his life, prompting him to pursue a medical degree and dedicate his remaining years to serving others.
While insecurity can make individuals feel isolated, a survey conducted by OnePoll in February 2023 on 2,000 Americans indicated that on average, American adults experience lack of confidence five times a day.
Real estate millionaire Barbara Corcoran, a long-time judge on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” stated that this trait is an unexpected advantage in the workplace: it means you care about what you are doing and are willing to give it your all.
Corcoran mentioned that in the television show, she tends to look for competitors who lack confidence but are ambitious. They will work even harder.
“The more successful a person is, the more susceptible they are to self-doubt because that’s what drives them forward,” she added. “I have never seen someone who is both confident and a star.”
During a press conference held in Star City, Russia, Kim was asked about the biggest challenge he faced on the mission.
Kim mentioned that since his space journey wouldn’t be conducted in English, he spent several months learning another skill. “The most difficult part was, of course, learning Russian,” he said.