Joseph's "Just My Thoughts"

Most people study in school, yet the education system does not provide financial education. Even though it doesn’t take long for us to realize that finance is an essential element of survival, isn’t it strange that schools don’t offer financial education? Economic activity is a power game where someone wins and someone loses. One person’s loss is another’s gain, and my sacrifice is someone else’s fortune. In other words, economic activity embodies the harsh reality of deciding between discomfort and the uncertain odds of a game that determines who occupies a position, even though that position has already been predetermined. This issue is further exacerbated by the fact that people have different productive capacities and society mandates that the means of value exchange is cash (fiat currency). To survive, you must first understand how social systems function. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A ‘transaction’ is an act of debt between parties. The seller owes goods to the buyer (performance debt), and the buyer owes money to the seller (monetary debt). A transaction is considered complete when the debt is settled and the promise to owe each other is called a ‘contract.’ Thus, a good trader or businessman excels at making and repaying debts. When it comes to debt, the type of debt matters. Anyone who misjudges this should not engage in business. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

“I can live well alone!” is not correct. If I live alone, I can survive to some extent, but ultimately, it is hard to survive, and “living well” is even more challenging. This is because the economic principle is established not by ‘alone’ but by ‘many people.’ If I live well, it means that someone has become poor because of me or is living well with me. The fact that through value exchange, or transaction, we can meet each other’s needs and store the surplus from that production is both true and real. Trading is not done in isolation. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

The key to writing well is to write frequently and revise consistently. No matter how complex an idea is, even a very short sentence often reflects our thoughts in a strangely organized manner. A good article is not defined by being well-written, but by undergoing extensive edits. Great passages are not simply written because they contain exceptional ideas; rather, they are often rewritten and crafted. Even the best ideas require multiple revisions and refinements in order to effectively share and influence others. Great ideas and quality writing are created, not bestowed. The ripple effect of well-constructed sentences on the world is beyond our imagination. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Other people’s brains exist within our own. The ability to replicate others’ brains is one of the most crucial functions of our brains. We copy other people’s brains into our own to better understand them. In fact, our brains operate through this mechanism. The more diverse people’s brains we replicate, the less we suffer from communication issues. Our brains act like mirrors, reflecting others. When another person’s brain is mirrored in mine, it triggers empathy, and when that stimulus produces a hormone, our bodies respond accordingly. Since this response is communicated back to the brain, we mistakenly believe we are experiencing emotions in our bodies. What you represent in my brain is the emotion. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

I don’t write because I know something. The more I write, the more I discover. Our brain’s thinking circuits and our writing circuits operate differently, and when we write, our various perspectives start to process things we previously only thought about. When we write, the action that remains as a graphic and continues to stimulate our eyes also influences our thinking. Training to think and understand a concept requires using several thought tools. Write every day without exception. It’s perfectly fine if you don’t do it stylishly, and it’s okay if you don’t write a lot. Write because the act of writing itself provides a fresh perspective on your thoughts. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Remembering something is not the same as knowing it. Just because you remember a lot doesn’t mean you know a lot. To ‘know’ means to grasp things and phenomena in relation to one another by separating and removing unnecessary or unimportant details, which allows the essence and core to be easily discerned. Furthermore, by embodying that knowledge and information through experience, the essence and core can be freely applied in any situation, providing a perspective that can be easily explained to others. Knowing in relationships and situations is called ‘understanding,’ while realizing the essence and core of yourself is referred to as ‘awakening.’ - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If you don’t know your identity, you also don’t recognize the power given to you, nor do you know when to use it. It is only because of who I am that I understand where I stand and what power I possess. Identity determines what I should do. If you don’t understand what to do, you don’t know when and what power to apply. Identity is not fixed; it develops or evolves according to circumstances and times. Therefore, identity is an attribute that one should constantly examine. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

A willingness to work less and play more is often reviled more than an attitude of passion and hard work. Implicitly, the stereotypes that “live passionately is cool” and “you must succeed as much as you try” are ingrained in our consciousness. However, this perspective overlooks another significant, less visible aspect: efficiency. The issue lies not in laziness but in settling for reality; instead, we should focus on making life more efficient to uncover the benefits of laziness, which has indeed changed the world in revolutionary ways. I am very interested in laziness. Revolutionary opportunities often lurk among lazy people. Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean I dislike hardworking individuals. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

People understand that a brand is established when it is named. However, a brand requires a named entity, and that entity must be cherished by consumers. This means there must be prior production, followed by a name. The essence of branding lies in manufacturing. Capital is necessary to produce goods that meet consumer needs. Individuals can create a brand simply by distributing products made by others, but they will eventually face limitations. Manufacturing capacity is crucial to branding, and most of the world’s renowned brands emerge from this productivity. Don’t confuse this with branding by merely assigning a name. They will soon find themselves in trouble if they mistakenly think they are branding without securing manufacturing capacity. Even if you don’t own a manufacturing facility, branding becomes simpler if you establish the ability and framework to control those facilities and raw materials. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

‘Capital’ means ‘Principal.’ What does ‘Principal’ mean in business? The ultimate goal of any business is to create wealth. Wealth serves as the foundation for creating value, and that value must be generated solely through production. To produce, the cost must be invested first; the source of that cost is referred to as ‘Principal.’ In other words, the result of a transaction through trading is ‘revenues,’ and if costs and expenses are subtracted from sales, what remains is ‘profit.’ If costs and expenses exceed revenues, it results in a losing trade; if they are lower, it results in a profitable trade. Therefore, principal serves as the benchmark for profitability; in other words, it is referred to as capital. Whether a business is good or bad is determined by its profitability. If the principal is insufficient, borrowing capital becomes necessary, which is termed “debt.” Just as the number of principals capable of producing tankers differs from those that can create bicycles, the si...

Most successful wealthy people consistently say that “wealth comes from the mind.” In a way, this notion seems like a luxury that only accomplished individuals can afford. However, it is true. The essence of money is merely a representation of the idea of credit. In other words, money is philosophical, and wealth is nothing more than the application of ideas. Wealth originates in the mind because it results from engaging with philosophies and ideas. Therefore, to achieve wealth, you must first learn to control your mind. Developing money-making skills follows next. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Recording and storing purposes include reloading, confirming, and recalling memories and data when needed later. There is nothing more foolish than when recording and storage become ends in themselves. The same applies to money. When frugality and saving become ends in themselves, the function of generating profit through investing money and creating surplus by spending turns into foolish storage that fails to achieve a positive function. Such a person will engage in activities that neither they nor others can benefit from. We should always examine whether the ends and means have been interchanged. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Power is often granted rather than generated. In other words, it derives from the consensual approval of others. The dilemma lies in whether to use the power conferred to the organization. If power is not utilized when it should be, it leads to neglect and a breach of trust. Conversely, if it is used when it should not be, it constitutes interference and violence. So, how do we distinguish between these situations? It should be exercised decisively when disagreements need resolution, when injustice or crime is anticipated or has occurred, or when harm is expected to be, or has been, inflicted on someone. In these instances, the use of power must be accompanied by accountability. Power should be deployed only if no one else is accountable for the choices and decisions made. Otherwise, it is better left to the organization’s discretion. Consequently, power, leadership, and benefits are healthy only when proportional to the level of responsibility. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

One of the misconceptions people have is that they believe they ‘buy (get)’ things with money. However, in reality, it is an exchange of money for goods. You might question whether these two concepts are similar, but there is a significant difference between them. In other words, it leads people to forget that money is also a ‘good’ whose value fluctuates based on the amount available in the market. This creates an overconfidence in money. In terms of value, money is only as valuable as its role and mission in exchange. If the role of food is to ‘eat,’ then the role and mission of money is that it is endowed with ‘the power to exchange anything.’ If money can’t be exchanged for food, can you eat money instead of food? The standard that allows goods to exchange roles and missions with each other is called ‘price.’ - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If you don’t examine your mind occasionally, you may find yourself dominated by it. The issue is that our minds are far from perfect. The mind is not directed or influenced by your life; rather, it feels satisfied when it achieves a sense of balance . However, achieving balance doesn’t always equate to perfection. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If someone lacks mental strength , they can’t keep anyone in their thoughts due to exhaustion . You can obtain mental strength by emptying your mind . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Cash serves as a universal means of payment for exchanging goods and services that everyone needs. For manufacturers to continue producing these goods and services, prices must be slightly higher than the market value of cash . This is because if the value of the goods or services produced falls below the cash, manufacturers or service providers will prefer to hold cash instead of producing these goods or services. Consequently, it is accurate to say that the value of cash is less than that of the goods or services. However, people desire cash because it functions as a means of payment endowed with “ compulsory circulation power .” In other words, cash has no limits on the exchange of value and possesses the capacity to reward even human life. Due to its enforced value exchange by law, people consistently strive for cash, even if it holds less value than goods. Therefore, all economic indicators and expressions of wealth are converted into cash. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

If a planner becomes attached to the work they plan, it is easy to lose their objectivity . To be a planner, one needs to step back and view the work from a third-person perspective without getting caught up in the planning process . The cost of a project that has lost its objectivity is severe and leads to regrets. However, it is not too late to develop attachment after evaluating the planning results. Creators must work with attachment, but planners need to remain objective to maximize their chances of success. Adhesives are only useful when sticking different materials together; in other situations, nothing is more inconvenient than glue . In planning, attachment functions similarly. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Common means relatively few limits. Therefore, the common items should be inexpensive—for example, air. But just because it’s common doesn’t mean it lacks value. It simply signifies a lower price. Just because it’s almost free doesn’t mean it’s without merit. The sector a product belongs to affects the profitable connection between value and price . Daily necessities are inexpensive because they are common, but they hold significant value. If the imbalance between value and price exceeds the risks of an exchange opportunity , a profit is generated. If you capitalize on this opportunity and take a risk to purchase the imbalance, it is referred to as an investment . Opportunities always arise from imbalance . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

No matter how long you know someone, you can’t truly understand the mind of that person. A person’s values become evident when they face a dilemma —the dilemma of being unable to choose one option over another. Dilemmas arise amid contradictions where logic clashes, and in response to concerns and fears stemming from uncertainty . The conflict of logic and fear reveals the true nature of humanity. The decisions a person makes while overcoming a dilemma ultimately shape who they are. People often say that the totality of our choices defines our lives, and accepting the consequences, whether good or bad, is a reflection of our character. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Transactions are made at a price. The value must precede the price, and this value arises because of the limit. Everything in the world is finite. It’s frustrating and sad due to that limit, but it’s worth it in the end because you can’t do it anymore. As the limit approaches infinity, the value decreases, and the smaller the limit range, the greater the scarcity , which leads to a higher value. If there are hundreds of gold medals in one event at the Olympics , that gold medal loses its value. There is a high probability of finding value where there is a limit. Depending on one’s perspective, someone’s limitations can become opportunities. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Victoria’s Secret once created underwear worth 1.9 million USD, adorned with diamonds and jewels. Of course, wearing such underwear in real life is impractical and may not sell, but once Victoria’s Secret produces it, media outlets worldwide will promote this underwear. When considering the promotional impact, 1.9 million USD is not wasted as a publicity expense ; the cash may be gone, but the jewelry-adorned underwear remains an asset, and brand promotion occurs globally, making it a genuinely profitable venture. Moreover, the existence of 1.9 million USD in underwear means that even if Victoria’s Secret products carry a higher price than competing brands , consumers may feel less price resistance . Spending money wisely is just as crucial as earning money. To understand the relationship between costs and assets , one must learn accounting . - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Money is essentially the same, yet it creates different qualities in how it is used and transacted. In other words, the quality associated with money varies. Not all debts are created equal; there are good debts and bad debts . The quality of these debts can also be classified as good or bad, impacting sales and profits. This is similar to how paying the same amount for fruits can yield different results: one box might contain delicious fruit while another may hold tasteless ones. Thus, even when spending the same amount of money, the pleasure and satisfaction derived from the taste can vary significantly. When these differences accumulate, the utility value of money significantly affects wealth distribution , making the gap between wealth and poverty even more pronounced. Earning well, spending wisely , and borrowing judiciously greatly influence our happiness in life. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Human relationships can break down in an instant, but most are the result of long-term mistrust . Likewise, reliability is built over time. A single special trigger can initiate this breakdown, with all outcomes being a continuous accumulation of small factors. When you reflect on your relationship, you may identify a certain pattern by reconsidering what earned your partner’s trust and what let them down. That pattern reveals my true self exposed to the outside. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

In the animation “ Finding Nemo ,” the main character, Nemo , asks questions about the sea and where he lives. “What is the sea?” Hearing this, the dolphin puts Nemo on its back and jumps over the water to reveal her world. When you are in the sea, you do not know what the sea is. However, when you rise above the surface, you can see that the sea is a place where water gathers at a low level, and above it are air and land. She eventually realizes that she is also on the ground with water. If you want to understand the essence and grasp the reality, you must step out of the place you belong to for a while. Further development and reform can be expected. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Understanding what one belongs to is knowledge derived from personal experience. In fact, the experiences of others can provide a more accurate understanding of your place in the world. A third-party perspective is crucial for problem-solving . The viewpoint and position of an outsider, rather than my own, enable me to comprehend my situation most objectively. A solution lacking objectivity is likely to lead to the repetition of problems and may render them unsolvable forever. When I ascend the mountain and gaze down at the town I live in, I notice things I’ve never seen before. Significant progress occurs when a third-party perspective is applied. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

“ This shampoo prevents hair loss ,” and “Do your drains get clogged often? Change your shampoo!” Which of the two messages is better? Both messages appeal to the shampoo’s effectiveness in reducing hair loss , with the former addressing the person experiencing this issue, and the latter targeting all family members, including him. Depending on how one interprets the impact of preventing hair loss, the sales results can vary significantly. Some view it as maintaining a good appearance, while others see it as a matter of hygiene and convenience . Linking product benefits to public interest offers many advantages. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

Making money, growing money, protecting money, and using money wisely are different issues. Being good at one does not guarantee success in others. The important thing is to earn, grow, and safeguard your money, and then care for the people around you. To win money at a casino , you just need to observe the successful winners and replicate their actions. You cannot engage in economic activities alone; you need a business partner to earn and manage money together. While it is possible to go solo, you may struggle to expand beyond a certain limit. That doesn’t mean I ignore the poor. If there are needy individuals around you, they might come to you to borrow money, or you might help them at some point. If you try to thrive on your own, it will be challenging to retain your wealth. You can safeguard your money by helping those around you become prosperous as well. However, some people disregard this idea. A person who believes in the power of money often flaunts that power. When these pe...

Macroscopic and microscopic perspectives sometimes reveal contradictions or conflicts of logic . We must consider the variable of time when forming our thoughts and judgments, because in many cases what is considered right macroscopically may not be appropriate microscopically . In stock investing , stocks deemed correct from a long-term view are often seen as poorly chosen from a short-term perspective . Our values and judgments are sometimes praised and at other times criticized over a certain period. It seems like an innocent prank over time. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”

You should buy stocks when they are cheap and sell them when they are high to make a profit. However, is this principle only applicable to stocks? All assets should be purchased when they are inexpensive and sold when they are at a high value to create and maintain wealth. Stock prices are easier to fall than to rise. Temptation leads to fear, and fear leads to temptation. People want to buy something that is becoming expensive (or has its price inflated) and sell it quickly because they fear the price will drop. Of course, if the fear is too intense, it becomes challenging to act, so you may refrain from selling even though you know the price will decline further. If this is instinct, then buying and selling stocks should be reversed. Stock prices are more complicated to rise but easier to fall. The rise in price occurs because the performance value must act as the energy for the stock. Therefore, stocks should be viewed as good to buy rather than good to sell. A stock’s fate is ...