Throughout our lives, we’ve become accustomed to putting in effort, but we have never been trained in choosing where to direct that effort. In fact, the choice itself is far more important.
We have lived without strong personal convictions. We studied because others did, attended academies because others did, and worked hard to secure jobs in government or large corporations just like everyone else. If we succeeded, we had a wedding at a typical venue, had children, and lived a “normal” life… but even that “normal” life requires surviving fierce competition.
What about those who don’t live like this? They often feel uneasy. When everyone else is doing something, and they are not, it feels like they are falling behind. Eventually, they get swept up in the prevailing atmosphere. This is how we’ve been conditioned and raised since childhood. While Koreans were once considered the brightest in the world, why is it that Nobel-level geniuses emerge from countries like the U.S. instead? I believe it’s a matter of the ability to make choices.
There’s a saying that “the wealthy are lucky.” This suggests that becoming wealthy solely through effort is difficult. Especially in today’s South Korea, it’s said to be even harder to become wealthy. The probability of rising from humble beginnings to self-made wealth was only 23% as of 2015. This number is likely the same or even lower now, especially with the widening wealth gap driven by inflation.
South Korea has a lower rate of self-made success than India, which has a caste system. In fact, South Korea’s rate is 10% lower. It’s no wonder people refer to it as “Hell Joseon.”
However, if we’re not going to emigrate to another country, does it mean that we should simply suffer in Hell Joseon? Instead of complaining and struggling, we need to make every effort to be part of that 23%.
Is working hard the solution? If success were purely the result of hard work, all South Koreans would probably be wealthy by now. Hard work and diligence have always been virtues, and as a nation, we are known for our tireless work ethic.
South Koreans work to the point of exhaustion. We grew up attending 4-5 academies, doing extra classes from early mornings, studying all day except for meals and sleep, managing grades, preparing for job interviews, and working long hours in our jobs, including weekends and night shifts. (By the way, South Korea has been at the top of the OECD countries for working hours, except for the past year.) Is hard work the answer?
It’s incredibly difficult to succeed in South Korea purely through effort. So, what should we do?
Starting now, we need to practice making decisions based on our own convictions. This is how we carve out our own lives and can become wealthy, as well as find greater happiness. For some, it might even lead to making a significant impact on the world. The key is that I must be the one to guide my life.
How can we practice making decisions? I believe there’s no single correct answer. Follow your own values. For example, from an economic perspective, your values might be return on investment (ROI). How much can you gain for your effort through studying? How much return can you get from putting in overtime? You need to assess and choose based on your values.
One crucial point has been left out so far: in order to make these decisions, effort is essential.
If you’re choosing between Seoul National University and Kyung Hee University, you need to have the qualifications to get into Seoul National University. If you only have the qualifications for Kyung Hee University, you won’t have the opportunity to choose Seoul National University. Effort is the necessary process to broaden your choices. This is what creates opportunities for you to make decisions.
To return to the original idea, I don’t think the saying “wealth is about luck” is 100% accurate.
While some may have become wealthy purely through luck, how many people can truly say that? I think it’s nearly impossible. How many people have become wealthy solely by relying on luck in stock market investments?
You must never neglect the effort to prepare for opportunities. When the time comes, you will be able to seize the opportunity and take bold action. It’s those people who will ultimately become wealthy and find happiness.
