To those who are looking for a way to live their own life

The title of this book is 'Make the world want what you have.'
If the title was a bit longer, these words would have been added before the current title.
‘Don’t just conform to the world.’
Yes, that's what I wanted to say in the book.
'Don't just try to fit in with the world, but make the world want what you have.' We are all unique beings, with different faces, personalities, likes, and strengths.
These days, everyone wants to live their own way.
Doing what you love, in the way you excel, is no different from living your true self.
I wrote about the perspective and attitude that opened that path in the book, and I, too, have come to where I am today by relying on that perspective and attitude.
If this book can be of even a little help to those who are looking for their way, it will be worthwhile to write it.
---From the "Prologue"

The time I spent working hard remains within me.

I kept searching for meaning in my work.
When work piled up, I was so engrossed in it that I didn't have time to think about these things.
But when I had free time after a busy period or when I was in a slump due to poor performance, I would constantly be tormented by the thoughts of what was lacking and what was not fulfilling in my work.
Still, what I want to commend myself for is that I never stopped worrying.
Although I put it on the back burner when I was busy, I came back to that place and dug deeper, asking and asking again about the meaning of my work.
When you dwell on your worries for too long, do you begin to see something faint? That happened to me, too.
Just as when you enter a dark place and at first you can't see anything, but gradually the scene before your eyes becomes clear, I also realized one important thing.
I found that this job required quite a bit of qualifications and suited me quite well!
---From "1-4 Finding the Meaning of My Work"

The problem isn't the company.
The right question is, 'Can I do what I want, how I want, here?'
I need to organize my thoughts on this first.
It's about creating a new 'frame' for looking at the problem from your own perspective.
In fact, finding the core of a problem, thinking about it, and finding an answer is an incredibly difficult task, and it also requires courage.
Because you have to face yourself head on.
Often times, we blame our own problems on our environment.
It's easier and more convenient to do it that way.
But this is just turning a blind eye to the real problem.
It's like avoiding your worries.
The problem is not solved.
Throughout our lives, we face many times of struggle and choice.
In such cases, to make the right choice and decision, you should first look into your own heart rather than thinking that the problem lies in the surrounding circumstances or environment, such as the company.
You need to reframe and figure out what's important to you and what you absolutely cannot compromise.

---From "2-1 The problem is not the company!"

If you want to do your job well, achieve good results, and have a long-term career, ask yourself this question.
Would your team leader, general manager, coworkers, seniors, juniors, and customers want to entrust you with important tasks? Do they expect me to deliver positive results? Then, think about why you'd be a good choice and write down the reasons why.
That's the value you provide to your customers as a brand.
If your values ​​are clear and you are competitive enough, just keep moving forward on that path.
But if that's not the case, if you don't think it has any clear value to you, then you need to start creating it now.
---From "3-2 What Value Am I Proposing"

A commodity is a brand that customers can exchange for another brand without any specific reason.
Commodity is a problem that occurs not only in the world of brands, but also in the world of work.
If something doesn't have its own distinct value, it becomes a commodity, whether it's a product or a person.
When a worker becomes a commodity, it means that he or she is no longer distinguishable from others in terms of performance, and is therefore a target for replacement by someone with a lower salary.
It also means that you are not someone who 'must take on this job' or 'is absolutely necessary for our company'.
That's a scary story.
In my experience, it seems that seniority and performance are proportional for about 3 to 5 years after joining the company.
A deputy manager performs better than a new employee, and a manager performs better than a deputy manager.
But it didn't stay that way after that.
Managers who are better than department heads and assistant managers who do better work than managers begin to emerge.
Performance is not proportional to seniority.

---From "3-4 Average is Not Safe"

When it comes to work-life balance, some people tend to think that work is not life, going beyond the separation of work and life.
That's a rather extreme position.
But work is an important axis of our lives that holds many meanings.
Therefore, work-life balance means finding a balance so that life isn't just about work, and at one end of that balance should be relationships, especially relationships with loved ones.
With those with whom you need to spend sufficient time, such as family, friends, and yourself.
Since my father passed away, I always tell my juniors to spend more time with their parents whenever I have time.
I said that to our bookstore manager the day before yesterday.
If you go on three trips with friends, go with your mom on one of them.

---From "4-5 Attitudes toward Work-Life Balance"

What I did every day on my pilgrimage to Santiago was to think.
As I walked for 6-7 hours every day, looking back on where I had been and the time that had passed, I realized that my anxiety stemmed from the feeling that I had already started down the path.
I was afraid that the upward curve would end and collapse.
I left the workplace where I worked, was frustrated, cheered, and worried with that kind of feeling, and I looked back.
To look back was to think and think again, to erase one thought and embrace a new one, to negate the previous one and open myself to the new one.
After continuing this for a month, I finally came to one thought that I could no longer deny.
A clear realization came to me that I had entered the downward path, and that the time that followed would probably not be like the time before.
Yes, "awareness"! Whenever I face a challenge or problem, I know that the starting point for resolution is "awareness."
Or perhaps we could say 'acceptance'.
---From "6-4 No one can avoid the path that goes down"

There is something you need to do to make a decision that you can be confident in, beyond the pros and cons.
First of all, time, and that time alone.
It's about setting aside some time alone to focus on a problem.
I thought about it, erased it, thought about it again, erased it again… … .
In the end, you finally come across a solid idea that you can convince yourself of.
I live the future relying on that thought.
Of course, doing this doesn't mean there won't be any difficulties.
Just as waves will always crash as long as there is an ocean, we will inevitably experience hardships and challenges as long as we live our lives.
But one thing is certain: if you have an idea that you've spent a long time working toward, not just because it's advantageous, but because you've convinced yourself that it's important to you, you'll be much less likely to get swept away.

---From "7-1 Reaching a Conclusion You Can Accept"