Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Humans, among Earth’s creatures, have the largest whites in their eyes, making it easy to convey the movement of the eyes outward. For this reason, eyes communicate a great deal to others. With just a glance, it’s easy for humans to intuitively grasp a person’s emotions. Most herbivorous animals have horizontally shaped pupils, an evolutionary adaptation that allows them to detect approaching predators even while they bow down to graze. The eye serves as an emotional and social organ. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the Old Testament, the book of Exodus, verse 8:9, depicts a scene where God promises Moses that Israel will escape from Egypt and be led to Canaan, the Promised Land. This is described as “a land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills.” This event took place during the Bronze Age civilization, but God mentions the resources that exist in the Promised Land, highlighting the transition from the Bronze Age to the Iron Age. Indeed, after migrating to Canaan, Israel established a copper mine to extract copper. The advancements in civilization and technology during this period hold significant historical importance for humanity. We are currently living in one of those transformative times. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

For a business to succeed, kairos, situations, and relationships are all essential. Kairos is an aspect beyond human control, often described as ‘luck.’ It exists within a realm ruled by coincidence and timing. Situation pertains to the interests of the land, encompassing all resources except human resources. Relationships represent human resources that I can cultivate through human unity. Among these three elements, there is a saying that kairos accounts for 70% of success, leaving 30% to other factors. This underscores why we should avoid boasting about our abilities, even in the face of our achievements. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Capability belongs to the individual, while ability extends beyond the individual level, as it is essential for setting goals and achieving performance. This implies that one cannot accomplish results alone. To achieve results, there are factors that transcend the individual and are significantly influenced by kairos, situations, and relationships. No single person can control all of these elements. Kairos refers to divine timing, while situations arise from abilities and relationships, which persist as an authority. The effectiveness of a position is termed power, and Max Weber defined it as “the power to carry out one’s will regardless of the will of others.” - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If capability defines whether you can do something, ability determines how far and how much you can exercise it. Capability is a possible state with a purpose, while ability is a state in which a specific objective is set for achievement. Therefore, without a goal, there is no actual ability. People with such excellent abilities are known as specialists. The result of ability is termed performance, which reflects how well the goal was achieved using that ability. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

What a person can do (possible) or cannot do (impossible) is referred to as that person’s CAPABILITY. Having a lot of CAPABILITY means that someone possesses many skills. Such individuals become generalists rather than specialists. A specialist is an expert in one field, possessing a prominent ABILITY, which gives them greater competitiveness in that area compared to others, while a generalist is often suited for roles like managers or investors who synthesize and evaluate information comprehensively. Additionally, a generalist can also become a type of specialist, depending on the choices made. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In philosophy, the term ‘concept’ denotes an idea formed by extracting and synthesizing common elements from an object or phenomenon. If you lack strength, it’s better to focus; however, if you don’t understand the concept, you can’t. Without knowledge of the concept, you remain unaware of the boundaries and classifications, making it difficult to discard what’s useless or select what you genuinely need. Understanding the core idea means grasping a concept that remains constant even when circumstances and environments shift. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the Genesis of the Bible, there is a scene where Adam sees and names all creations. Naming is a social act. By giving something a name, we can specify and refer to it, allowing us to treat it as an object of praise or criticism in society. This is why popularity rises; its popularity becomes power, while criticism can lead to rejection. Suppose no names are assigned to the objects in the world. Human sociality would revert to a primitive state the moment names disappear. A name is not just a title; it embodies your existence. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Don’t give advice recklessly. Only offer it to those who can truly listen. When someone who hears advice chooses to ignore it, it signifies that they are dismissing the adviser and will rely only on their own judgment. While behavior remains unchanged, asserting that they can understand the advice also reflects an attitude that undermines the adviser’s personality. The lack of behavioral change indicates that the person did not grasp the advice. Advice holds greater power for the listener than for the adviser. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The prerequisite for working is to earn a profit. Profit is defined as revenues minus costs and expenses. In other words, you must incur costs and expenses before you can make sales. Profits arise when sales exceed costs and expenses. If I overlook this straightforward reason, the harder I work, the more I will struggle and negatively impact others. Behind the concept of generating significant revenue lies an oversight of the importance of making a profit. Increased revenue also leads to more significant expenses. The total costs and expenses associated with making sales are referred to as prime costs. Many businesspeople in this world are unaware of prime cost structures and focus solely on boosting sales. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A venture company president established an environment that encouraged open dialogue to foster an honest organizational culture, yet soon after, the company’s structure fell apart. Honesty can often be painful. To minimize the hurt caused by honesty, it is crucial to consider who delivers the message. In other words, if a respected individual speaks candidly, people are likely to feel less discomfort. Organizations can falter if honesty is prioritized over a culture of respect. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The ‘halo effect’ refers to the error of evaluating a person based solely on one strength. This mistake arises from our human tendency to see only what we want to see and to know only what we wish to know. People often regret choosing a smart but uncommitted individual once they realize they were attracted to that person’s intelligence after bringing them onto the team, ultimately leading to the wrong choice. This is an easy mistake to make, especially when the chosen person’s ability is particularly remarkable. When erroneous human resource decisions occur, businesses can fail. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The phenomenon where an organization prioritizes self-interest over cooperation between departments is called the silo effect. A silo refers to a chimney-shaped grain storage warehouse, named for its high, stacked walls that isolate it from the outside. If someone controlled the opening by creating only one funnel-shaped outlet at the bottom of the storage room, they could monopolize the grain. This phenomenon often arises when there are ‘irreplaceable talented individuals’ in an organization, which presents a challenge for a boss desiring to develop such individuals. It undermines all the positive functions of the organization. Exceptional individuals organize their impressive performance so that the organization can sustain that performance even in their absence. Misusing talent can ruin a business. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The mass production of artworks is less valuable. Imagine if Van Gogh’s famous works were produced in the same way, with hundreds of thousands of copies distributed worldwide—how much would they be worth? However, if there are too many copies of the original artwork and a growing curiosity about the original, the value of the original increases because of the many copies. In other words, the replicas at this time serve as media rather than as true works of art. Supply and demand also significantly influence value formation, but in the meantime, media actually plays a vital role in establishing value. What is the media that shapes my values now? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Even if I have too many human relationships, many of them are not directly connected to me. Therefore, many people believe that they only need a few good companions by their side. In other words, human relationships also involve probability. This thought presents a problem, too, because the choice of who qualifies as “good people” and the ability to strengthen those relationships isn’t entirely in my hands. Most of the time, the reason I can’t escape all the conflicts and hardships is that I can’t take control of my life independently. Thus, we are very fragile creatures. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Emotions are valuable. Depending on the timing and the emotions you express, you can overcome blocked negotiations and receive positive responses from your loved ones. However, if handled poorly, they can undermine positive outcomes. Thus, emotions are crucial assets. This is why it’s essential to always consider how your feelings impact others. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Not all of them are like that, but it’s not easy to say that many of those who have learned a lot know what they don’t know. However, when you acknowledge “I don’t know” what you don’t know, the wisdom gained from that ignorance enriches everyone. Learning begins with recognizing what you don’t know, while what you do know involves a clear understanding of that unknown. This awareness can help reduce the chaos of the world, even if just a little. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Sometimes, a person’s strengths are the cause of the problem. The situation determines the direction and use of nature. Each person has the advantage of knowing their strengths well, but it does not take into account the direction and circumstances surrounding those strengths. Strengths and weaknesses are relative concepts. Over-relying on your strengths can lead to issues, and it is also vital to be cautious of developing feelings of inferiority due to your weaknesses. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The value and nature of stocks depend on how much money a company can potentially make for me in the future. In other words, it’s not the present value, but the future value that matters. It’s crucial to be able to provide profits consistently over time. In accounting, this concept is referred to as “going concern.” When you evaluate what you’re doing right now (job, business, investment, etc.) in terms of sustaining revenue generation, many conflicts and considerations diminish because your judgment becomes clearer. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

‘Writing’ is the best way to study. Reading, listening, and speaking are also excellent methods, but ‘writing’ represents a different dimension. When you feel uneasy while writing, you are producing content that diverges from your initial problem awareness. You are developing a theory by not identifying the underlying framework of your thoughts, or perhaps the case is not suitable, or the initial problem awareness itself is flawed. Writing reveals what I do not understand, helping you discover and learn more. Consistently doing this each day leads to significant progress. Write at least a few lines every day. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Don’t build a house on a breathtaking mountain. Instead, constructing a home where we can admire the mountain is a submission to reason. If you possess it solely for its beauty and appeal, its value will diminish. People can distinguish between good and bad, but they lack the knowledge to create, maintain, and extend value. They aspire to have nice things yet avoid contemplating how to boost their worth. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

We struggle a lot throughout our lives, caught between what we want to do and what we are good at. The moment these two coincide is the climax of our lives. Salmon die when they return to where they were born, after all. Our life is a fun journey to synchronize this conflict. Conflicts and worries are completely normal. Let’s cheer for myself as I wander in between! - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Johann Sebastian Bach had many children. To support his large family, Bach established a steady income, with occasional earnings from composing funeral music. This allowed him to secure a basic livelihood and sometimes pursue the music he was passionate about, which primarily resulted in his masterpieces. It is both desirable and important for an artist to earn a living independently. Balancing one’s livelihood as a person and as an artist holds significant religious and philosophical value. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the Old Testament, the books of “Esther” and “Ruth” are the only ones that express God’s glory without directly revealing His word and existence to humanity. Esther exemplifies how justice was established against evil, ensuring the survival of the nation even without a direct expression of God. The justice that prevented evil was a public achievement, while national survival was a more self-centered success. Although God’s presence is never overtly revealed, it is a remarkable event that balances public and private spheres. I believe Christian companies should reflect this. Even without explicit exposure to God, it is essential to adhere to laws and common sense necessary for achieving a balanced personal selfishness in maintaining a livelihood. When this balance is struck, Christian companies can reveal God to the world through indirect means rather than through direct revelation. This doesn’t occur simply because you worship at the company chapel. Instead, by not being overt but b...

The essence of money is ‘credit.’ When individuals with no credit possess a significant amount of money, they use it less efficiently than those with credit who have the same sum. This inefficiency incurs additional costs, resulting in lower profitability compared to someone who is trusted. In our world, even an equal amount of money is influenced by credit. The most fundamental step in establishing credit is to honor your verbal commitments. Individuals who do not fulfill their verbal promises tend to experience slower growth or may even fail, regardless of having an equivalent amount of money. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Interpreting or translating foreign languages, social phenomena, and new knowledge to explain and inform the public represents a position of power. Interpreters and communicators draw public attention and share information, generating power through public acceptance. Trust is the essence of power. Power is not merely about the strength of force but rather the direction and purpose behind its use. The more intelligent and educated you are, the greater your responsibility in wielding power. It is a misfortune for society as a whole if power remains untapped or is misused. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Adenosine is released when our body is tired, making us feel exhausted. Rest serves as a complementary action for fatigue rather than a mere exercise of will to “take a rest.” The caffeine in coffee prevents the sensation of fatigue by interfering with adenosine’s binding to neuronal receptors in the brain. It doesn’t eliminate the substance that causes fatigue; it simply disturbs the senses. Humans have negative elements, and while removing them is the fundamental solution, they often misunderstand the impact of caffeine on their senses as a remedy. Ultimately, without rest, a person can become overwhelmed. Problem-solving should begin with acknowledging reality, but if we view illusion as a solution, there will be no answers. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Money is largely divided into two categories: Standard Currency and Fiat Currency. Standard Currency’s value is tied to real goods, while Fiat Currency relies on legal enforcement for its value exchange. Standard Currency is termed convertible gold if it can be exchanged for gold and convertible silver if it can be exchanged for silver. However, for any currency to be created and circulated in the market, bonds must exist first. When the government issues Fiat Currency and distributes it, the central bank lends money to commercial banks; this process is effectively a loan. A loan is legally recognized as a bond and represents a debt that must be repaid. Without debt existing in the world, money cannot circulate. The government manages the economy by adjusting the money supply in the market, either by collecting or lending more of these loans. Many people aspire to make money, but few truly understand what money is. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If the means of value exchange is recognized only in the fiat currency issued by the government, the accumulation of wealth that has taken place can only be expressed in terms of value versus fiat currency. Due to the limited quantity of money, if I make money, someone will lose it. In other words, my profit is someone’s loss. Of course, the opposite is also true. Therefore, it is said that currency possesses the property of ‘goods’ whose value changes according to market functions. So, is there a structure where everyone can gain profits, rather than a game where someone loses while someone else earns? This essence will not change, but the methods by which productivity grows and the ability to create added value will improve, creating the best win-win system in the current scenario. If we must share a pizza, making a larger pizza itself is akin to making everyone happier than before. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”