This is how I look at work now.
There are things I have learned through practicing and conducting research as a psychiatrist for quite some time, but these are also things I have experienced, realized, and naturally internalized as I live as a working person.
I've learned a lot through work, and my values ​​have changed for the better.
And I believe that as my understanding of the world and people deepens, I also come to understand myself better.
I don't see my work time, which takes up the largest portion of my life, as a painful time, a minus time in my life that drains my energy.
I hope that while I'm working, this time can be a time that adds even a little bit to my life.
--- p.8, from "Prologue"

This contradiction is a characteristic of the concept of self-efficacy.
First, it is necessary to accomplish the 'basics', and after achieving those basics, you must make bold attempts.
Of course, if you go out there without thinking about your abilities, you could get hurt.
But if you think of it as a process of becoming more skilled while getting hurt, you will try again.
If you repeat this several times, your self-efficacy will be strengthened.
It's about changing the negative inner feedback of "I can't do it!" into positive feedback of "Let's give it a try!"
If you change things intentionally like this, you will eventually be left with the mindset that “I can do it.”
--- p.24, from “Chapter 1: Will You Be Eaten or Will You Get on Board?”

Work-life balance isn't about calculating my losses and gains by adding or subtracting a few hours.
It's about getting into the rhythm by adding or subtracting strength.
Even while working, we can feel closeness and affection toward someone and fully enjoy small pleasures, and conversely, even while resting, we can experience suffering and exhaustion.
If I, too, had lost trust in people while working and had not felt the joy of reward, I would not have wanted to connect work with my life.
However, after working for a long time, I sometimes have the opportunity to experience small pleasures more frequently than in everyday life, to confirm that I am alive and to positively recognize that I exist in this world.
--- p.76, from “Chapter 2: Working Me is a Part of My Life”

People don't work solely for financial rewards as much as you might think.
I want to grow through what I do.
But when you feel like there's nothing more to learn, you immediately feel bored and jaded.
It is not a good attitude to always feel inadequate and not have confidence in what you do.
But the moment you feel that you have reached a point where there is no more growth, you feel boredom rather than satisfaction.
That's human psychology.
So it's more difficult.
Work needs meaning.
Why I do this work, what kind of rewards I feel, whether I can experience life through my work, and whether it can be a source of joy are important to continuing my work.
And I gain strength when I can face and overcome difficulties or challenges, which can be an opportunity to confirm my presence and the power of my self.
--- p.113, from “Chapter 3 Everyone Hits a Wall Sometimes”

Most beginners feel unprepared and are afraid of failure.
One failure can be disheartening and cause you to hesitate before starting again.
Then, you become more nervous, make mistakes, and compare yourself to others, which makes you more likely to fail.
In times like these, the role of seniors or teachers is important.

“First, make a good plan and visualize how well you can make it so you don’t make mistakes.”
“Just try a lot.
It's okay to fail and make mistakes.
Then you can do it again right away.”
Both are good advice.
But looking back after half a year has passed, the latter advice will be more effective than the former.
The most important thing is to try a lot.
And you have to endure mistakes, failures, and the frustrations and shame that come with them.
Seniors and superiors, as well as those who are new to this job, must have a firm mindset to accept mistakes and failures as natural and try as much as possible first.

--- pp.129-130, from “Chapter 4: I Don’t Want to Work, but I Want to Do It Well”

Saying no or refusing is my right and duty to protect myself.
If you hold it in and then suddenly burst into tears, scream, or resign, others might think, “You must have had a hard time,” and understand, but in general, you’ll just hear, “Why is he acting like that?”
People don't really care about other people.
Most people only know the person's usual attitude and reactions, but few have empathized with how much that person has suffered.
So, usually, expressing my feelings little by little and talking about injustice is the way to protect myself.

--- p.181, from “Chapter 5: Small Habits for Creating My Own Space at Work”

Let's say to ourselves, "This is okay" or "I tried."
Once you understand and realize that it wasn't that difficult and painful, the painful feelings that arise within you will no longer be something you want to avoid.
And let's be generous to myself for forcing me to experience such feelings.
Shouldn't the person who treats me best be me?
Of course, it is not an easy task.
Honestly, I find it hard to be generous to myself.
There are more days when I force myself to do things I don't want to do because I think I need to train myself than days when I do everything with ease.
There are more days when I feel regretful and inadequate than days when I am satisfied and proud.
On days like that, I have to make an effort to pull myself together.
Avoiding getting bogged down in guilt, shame, and self-deprecation is a way to avoid getting stuck in emotions that don't serve me.
These efforts do not hold me back, but rather save me.
--- pp.222-223, from “Chapter 6 How to Respect My Heart”

We struggle to work and survive on an unfair and uneven playing field.
If you do that, you are bound to get hurt and tired.
At this time, we see that the harder a person is on himself, the more he works hard.
This is the case for self-made people and those who have achieved success through hard work in tight organizations.
But if you have that kind of mindset, it's hard to be satisfied with yourself, and you're always likely to feel like you're lacking.
So what should I do
Even if I do it, I don't like it.
I always experience conflict with myself.
It's common to blame yourself and be self-deprecating.
It cannot be denied that this aspect can be a driving force in life, but if you only use it as your life energy, even if you succeed, your anxious feelings will not go away.
So, more than anything, I want to be good to myself.

--- p.252, from "Epilogue"