Word for not underestimating something

Question

I am writing an essay in which someone underestimates something because they think it is beneath them. Then, they realize it was actually very good, so I was a noun to convey the meaning of not underestimating the potential of something?

I really liked "don't judge a book by its cover," but I need a noun, and I feel that is too cliche. I want to sound more thoughtful.

Sample sentence:

At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I learned having "the quality of not underestimating the potential of this experience" was essential for life.

Answer 1

"Open-mindedness" might do.

An open-minded person would be unlikely to prejudge a book by its cover, or to assume a thing was beneath them before they had looked into it more closely.

"... I learned that open-mindedness was essential for life."

Answer 2

Allow me to rephrase the sample sentences a little:

At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I realized that achieving full appreciation of certain phenomena required more time than I previously thought.

Answer 3

A snob is one who regards some things as beneath them. The practice of snobbery and comes in many sizes and shapes. I can't think of a way to negate apart from more words.

"I eventually found it was my snobbery that allowed me to overlook the essential component."

They should be holding themselves responsible for the overlooking but I can think of no other single word. I'll check back in a few minutes and find that ten have been provided.

Answer 4

Depending on the lesson you want to convey, these might work for you:

• At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I (was humbled because) I learned something new.
• At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, my perspective changed.
• At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I discovered new opportunities.
• At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I developed empathy for ...
• At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I realized the work was more nuanced / complex / ambiguous, etc.

All of the examples are generic, so if you have a particular example that illustrates the value of not underestimating, that could be more effective.

Answer 5

You could try something like:

"After a period of contemplation, [my initial] disdane was replaced by an appreciation of the true facts."

Answer 6

At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I learned having "the quality of not underestimating the potential of this experience" was essential for life.

At first, I thought it was beneath me. However, after days of work, I discovered that I had underestimated the potential of [this 'diamond in the rough', emerging hidden gem] to become essential for life.

[Intriguing sentence...can't imagine what what this is referring to.]