Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Wise people don’t need managing, foolish people are unnecessary to manage, those who love you don’t require managing, and those who don’t love you aren’t worth managing. This is why I need to be more of ‘me’ rather than trying to conform to others; it also explains why the world is more likely to function properly if I take good care of myself. It doesn’t mean you have to live selfishly, but it does mean you’d better accept altruistic selfishness . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In any business, a lessee who can pay the rent on real estate with the profits from that business is the most qualified to own the property. Businesses that generate profits based on real estate, such as stores, enhance the value of the real estate by creating local commercial areas with their sales profits. For the lessee’s contribution, the landowner can pay off the bank loan taken to purchase the property. Proceeds from business sales go to the business owner; however, as a result of the lessee’s business, the owner of the building effortlessly earns real estate revenue . Due to a lack of funds, even a hardworking lessee may find themselves donating the profits earned from their arduous efforts to unreasonable others. Although it’s not easy, it is wise to allow the entrepreneur to enjoy the potential profits from their challenging business if they can pay off the bank loan and interest with the original rent paid in exchange for owning the property. Because no one, regardless of ...

The most common excuse for people who can’t save money is that they don’t have enough to spend. This is true, but it is also unacceptable. You don’t have enough to spend because you’ve pulled your future income into the present and spent it in advance. Taking a loan , getting an investment , and using a credit card all share one thing in common: they move future time into the present. There can be no investment that ignores the effect of time and no money management that does not consider time. Discounting the future means that there is no present income; instead, future income is drawn into the present and used. There is only one way out of this trap. Currently, the only way to reduce expenditure is through frugality . After that, you can only increase your income . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The most important aspect of investing is managing risk. However, in most cases, risk management is interpreted and assessed in relation to past patterns. When asset prices fall, the perceived risk appears significant. That doesn’t imply there weren’t risks; investors simply didn’t recognize the risks that originally existed. The level of risk is almost identical whether the price of an asset goes up or down, but when prices decline, they tend to drop further because fear prevents us from purchasing more assets, leading us to retreat. It’s not that the risk has escalated. It is unwise to link risk with past patterns. There have been numerous exceptions in the world, and many beings on this planet have disappeared because they could not adapt. Did dinosaurs not become extinct on Earth ? Exceptions are exceptions because they are unpredictable. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Talented individuals are more likely to earn significant money in a short period than to generate regular, routine income. However, if they can’t establish a steady income from the substantial earnings they’ve made at once, they risk facing financial difficulties. This is why individuals who earn a large sum quickly need investment knowledge and experience . Understanding how to manage risks rather than just focusing on profit is the most crucial aspect of investing. The best way to mitigate or control risk is to anticipate the future; a steady income facilitates predictions, making risk management easier than in other scenarios. Therefore, a business should prioritize generating a stable income. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When farming, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t rain, but if it rains just twice a year, it ruins the farm. If it rains heavily, it causes a flood; if it doesn’t rain for a long time, it leads to drought. Regularity is a crucial habit that enriches our lives. So is money. Money that comes in regularly every month is more valuable than money that arrives all at once. A small but consistent action taken every day can radically change your life. However, the reason this is hard for us is that the effect must accumulate over a certain period before you can feel a significant difference. Patience accomplishes very valuable things that money cannot achieve. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Psychologist Robert Epstein published a paper in 2002 that found that many couples who do not marry, due to affection being the main cause, such as in arranged marriages , develop romantic relationships with greater affection over time than couples who marry for love. In other words, love doesn’t change us; rather, when we change our behavior, greater love emerges. If you change your mind, your behavior will change, but in fact, if you change your behavior, it seems more reasonable to change your mind. Actions influence the mind. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If only interest is applied to the principal, it is ‘ simple interest ,’ and if interest is applied to the principal including former interest, it is ‘ compound interest .’ There are people who make money through simple interest and through compound interest. The same goes for spending money. The difference between simple interest and compound interest can create an unimaginable impact over time. Time is treated fairly for everyone, but if compound interest intervenes in the uniform application of time, the results of compound interest will vary greatly, even after the same duration has passed. Being poor also has a cost, which is paid by compound interest. If you want to be wealthy, you must earn compound interest, not simple interest. The best way to achieve this continuously is to engage in small but regular actions every day, whether it’s investing in stocks or acquiring knowledge . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The fantastic idea I had was that someone else in the world had the same idea. An easy place to check is the stock market . People in the world are either as smart as I am or smarter than I am. There are no good ideas, only different thoughts. It is essential to try to think differently from others, even if the utility value of different thoughts is not high. The utility value of thought increases only when the ability to grasp the essence and the experiences gained from life come into play. Think differently from others within your own abilities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Fear and doubt are brothers from the same root. They are born together from the root of trust and gnaw away at peace and audacity . Fear is the outward emotional expression of doubt, and it is the fuel that energizes doubts to grow. Doubt feeds on your fear and helps keep it from being set aside. In other words, between doubt and fear, the counterweight of ego serves as the center of gravity. If pride weighs down doubts, it blames others; if it weighs down fears, it finds justifiable reasons and surrenders will. A state in which pride is precisely balanced between doubt and fear is called conflict. So, although conflict intentionally seems to be polite to others, emotionally, it constantly forces them to engage in self-defense against regret in advance. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When you are betrayed and hurt by someone, there are times when you want to hide or be alone in silence. You want to cut yourself off from the world and just live in your own space. You don’t want to harm others, and you don’t want to be hurt either. At this point, temptation arises. The desire to choose a solitary, self-sufficient way of life is stirring. Never choose to be self-sufficient. As time goes by, it becomes more difficult for you, the one who has been hurt, and the likelihood of further injuries increases. Self-sufficiency is not the life we are meant to live today. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In an exchange economy , where goods or services are well-made and exchanged for one another’s needs in the market, rather than through barter , ‘ price ’ holds significant importance. The key to business success lies in understanding the prime cost and establishing a ‘price’ based on that cost. If sales surge when a product that typically does not sell well is offered at a very low price, there must be a reason for the low price, as well as an explanation for why it does not sell at a higher price. The price results from the interaction of producers, consumers, and all other market variables . To identify the causes of problems in your business, you must first examine the price adequacy of the product or service you are selling. Price is not merely a number. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Compared to the era of a self-sufficient barter economy , everyone’s happiness is greater in the exchange economy , where each person divides their labor into what they do best and exchanges what they produce. This is because the division of labor is more efficient than self-sufficiency in productivity and can further reduce production costs. At this point, a means of exchange agreed upon by society is required, which is called money (currency). In other words, in the exchange economy, specialists who excel in one field are more advantageous for survival than ordinary people. An all-round player is more likely to face starvation. Therefore, a generalist is only advantageous for survival when they can organically integrate their diverse abilities in a specific field or situation, while also managing and restricting the scope of their activities and conditions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In a market economy , ‘ price ’ is determined by supply and demand . Producers supply and consumers demand, and the compromise between them is price. However, the price determined by supply and demand is not always beneficial to both producers and consumers. The price formed in the market is distorted by various factors, and the imbalance that occurs at these times results in a loss for some and a benefit for others. Wealth transfer occurs when there is an imbalance in the price of a good or service. Price imbalance necessitates an understanding of the essence of the market that forms between supply and demand, and it is a fundamental virtue for entrepreneurs to develop an ability to recognize bubbles and undervaluation of value . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Babies who are only six months old cannot walk. However, with a bit of training, this baby can swim in the water . Just because the baby can’t walk doesn’t mean the baby can’t swim. All humans are born in amniotic fluid in their mother’s womb when they are fetuses . It is normal for a 6-month-old baby to be unable to walk. Yet, the idea that the baby can’t even swim is a prejudice. Our stereotypes stem from taking things for granted. Imagination begins by doubting the obvious. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Autonomous vehicles originated from a mechanical engineering perspective, viewed as cars. However, for a car, the automation of the machine itself is not crucial; it can only function effectively by accounting for the road it drives on. The road we are traveling on today has not been constructed overnight; rather, it is the result of interactions with individuals that have led to the development of roads for humans, wagons, and cars. Therefore, for autonomous vehicles to operate fully on the road, both automobile automation and the necessary road infrastructure for autonomous driving must be developed in accordance with this automation. However, roads do not change easily overnight. For autonomous vehicles to truly achieve autonomy , we must reconsider the relationship between cause and effect. When cause and effect are reversed, the problem is never solved. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Even though tigers are stronger than rabbits , they are concerned about extinction worldwide , while rabbits do not share that worry. A crucial requirement for human survival is social interaction . Isolating oneself from society poses a serious threat to survival. Thus, all individuals who have disconnected from society are vulnerable. Based on this premise, there is no superior gene in humans ; only the expression of genes that are suitable for specific situations is acknowledged. Therefore, the essence of human society is cooperation . In this world, we can only survive by helping one another. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One of the principles prevailing in the natural world is that the stronger prey upon the weaker. The strong eat the weak. Thus, people seek strength. However, the statement that the stronger prey upon the weaker is partly correct and partly incorrect. The principle that survival of the fittest prevails in this world suggests that those who adapt survive. “ Adaptation ” is the strongest thing in the world. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The biggest crisis for CEOs is the financial crisis . However, symptoms precede this financial crisis; staff around the CEOs stop offering advice. If the staff believes that giving advice is futile and will only worsen the relationship, they will refrain from providing further advice. Nevertheless, most CEOs perceive their aides differently when they remain silent. The CEOs interpret the staff’s silence as a resolution to the conflict of interest . Ultimately, the staff’s silence inevitably precedes a financial crisis. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The basis of any investment is time considerations. The same applies to stock investing . Which stocks to buy depends on whether you are holding short-term or long-term positions . The most significant mistake beginners make in stock investing is buying and selling stocks without following fundamental investment principles . When choosing stocks, they select them based on long-term potential, and when they sell, they do so based on short-term trading because they cannot overcome their impatience and fear that the stock price will decline. Such individuals should refrain from investing in stocks. Even after losing money, they remain unaware of the reasons for their losses, becoming individuals who harm themselves and others. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One characteristic of the wealthy individuals I have met so far is that they complete their work on time, rather than merely finishing tasks by the deadline. Being on time for a task involves calculating the necessary amount of time in advance based on the task’s size and nature, then striving to complete it within that timeframe. In contrast, finishing work at the last minute means postponing tasks until the deadline looms. The habit of delaying work is referred to as ‘ procrastination ’ in psychology; it’s associated with perfectionism or the tendency to derive greater satisfaction from concentrating energy on tasks as the deadline approaches. Anxiety underlies this behavior, and it proves to be entirely counterproductive in any case. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The paradox of kindness : Kindness complicates simplicity, and this complexity can lead to unkindness. Simplicity, on the other hand, can foster rudeness. However, brevity offers convenience, which may feel kind. Both aspects present challenges. We find balance in contradictions ; that is a virtue. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When you exchange a department store gift voucher or any brand coupon for cash (currency), the par value written on the certificate is reduced and replaced. Department store gift vouchers can only be used at department stores, while cash offers different usage values that can be utilized without restrictions within the country. In other words, the relative value of the gift voucher compared to cash is taken into account. At this point, the difference in the exchange range creates this discounted value, even though the securities maintain the same trading par value . In reality, the market value of payment methods is determined by the scope of use, trading objects, and exchange period. This is why money is also regarded as one of the goods. In accounting, the value base is CASH . This distinction arises because cash ( fiat currency ) holds the highest value in use within a country, owing to its compulsory circulation power . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Value in Kind (VIK). Refers to the spot value . We pay money to buy the goods we need, which represents an exchange of goods for currency. However, since money is also a kind of good, it has a relative value that constantly changes. That’s the price. When the price of goods rises, it indicates that the value of money in relation to goods declines. This phenomenon is called INFLATION . If other goods exchanged for goods experience a greater value increase than currency, the seller finds it more advantageous to transact using those other goods rather than currency. We prefer to exchange currency in transactions because it is a government-guaranteed compulsory means of exchange . The right to exchange anything constitutes compulsory circulation power . However, this is the only value of money. If the price of gold is rising significantly, and you can exchange gold for goods, it becomes a better option for producers of goods to trade in gold instead of money. Originally, the pre-currency...

Eco-friendly products can sometimes be anti-ecological . Environment and ecology are distinct concepts, but both have a significant impact on human life. Many confuse the two, believing that if something is eco-friendly, it is beyond criticism. This creates the illusion that if a product is good for the environment, it will also be beneficial for the ecosystem . For instance, reducing disposable items can lead to increased detergent use , which may contribute to water pollution . The reality is that what is considered eco-friendly may not be suitable for ecology, and what is ecology-friendly may not necessarily be eco-friendly. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

When stating that prices have risen, it signifies that something else has decreased in price. If house prices are up by 10%, then something else indicates that the price is down by 10%. What is this “something else”? It is the value of money –a number derived from converting the value of an inflationary object into a currency. As the prices of goods increase, the value of money decreases correspondingly. If the object is compared in value to something other than currency, then something else that has increased in value compared to the object has depreciated in value. Most values are expressed in currency, so if the price of an object relative to currency rises, the value of the currency is relatively low. Therefore, if you receive cash from sales, wealth is created and preserved only when you exchange it for something else that is appreciating in value compared to cash. If you keep the cash intact, you will undoubtedly become poorer. Wealth is always a relative concept, not an absolut...

Trust must be created and maintained. Building and maintaining trust always comes at a cost. Even if the cost is not monetary, it must be paid in the form of labor or some other means instead of money. Cafe owners face the uncertainty of not knowing when their customers will arrive. Knowing exactly when customers are coming, the cafe owner will avoid turning on the cafe lights and machines unnecessarily when there are no customers. The owners only need to prepare for when customers arrive. However, due to this uncertainty, the owner must keep the lights and machines on. If the cafe owner turns off the lights and machines to save money and a customer visits the cafe, that customer may not return. An unprepared appearance undermines the trust between the cafe and the customer. Regardless of type or kind, there is always a cost to building and maintaining trust. Which part am I paying the cost for now? Or am I not paying for it? - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Hormones control humans. They are magical substances that fluctuate in response to external stimuli or various health factors. Hormone therapy for individuals who struggle to manage their anger or face suicidal thoughts due to depression can alleviate these problematic behaviors. The irony lies in the fact that although humans produce hormones, these substances, as objects, tend to dominate humans as the subjects. The phenomenon of exchanging back and forth, or engaging with customers, can lead someone to become unaware of their own identity. Don’t let your emotions turn into attitudes . Once your emotions morph into attitudes , others may find it difficult to trust you. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The big difference is that business allows the transfer of wealth or value to be based on production, while gambling occurs without production. Sustained productivity creates added value . The system that drives the world in any country seeks to protect this productivity through legal or administrative power. If productivity does not improve, society will deteriorate. Interest represents the added value of the financial industry , serving as the price of time for lending money. Therefore, since interest is an abstract concept agreed upon by society, it does not create new values that did not exist through production activities. If interest leads to the transfer of wealth, someone inevitably experiences a sense of loss. There are two instances in which interest is permitted in the Bible : one is when nature’s productive forces yield fruit that did not previously exist, and the other is when the neighbor’s self-sacrifice is acknowledged. Thus, when interest is recognized as a price ...

Weakness is merely another expression of strength and represents a phenomenon where the same attribute manifests in different forms. In other words, the concept of “ weak or strong ” resembles both ends of a seesaw ; when one side goes down, the other always rises. When an issue arises in one muscle of the body, the surrounding muscles take over that role, or several muscles work together to compensate for the weakness. Rather than focusing solely on the end of the seesaw that has dropped, one should also acknowledge the opposing side that has risen as a result. Weaknesses and strengths are states of being, not conclusions or outcomes. The same applies to successes and failures . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The ice does not sink; it floats on the water. Water and ice, which are the same substance in different states, can be regarded as fundamentally the same material; yet, they have entirely different effects in practical applications. Many things in the world are the same yet different. Just as a cat likes mice but doesn’t love them, likes and loves are distinct concepts. We often overlook that these subtle differences can lead to significant results. - Joseph ’s “just my thoughts”