[Interview 1] Building a Life and Career with Purpose: Insights from My personal Journey

Unauthorized use of photos prohibited

 

Recently, I connected with a friend who's embarked on her journey as a Brunch writer.

She asked if she could interview me about my life and perspectives. I was delighted- this was an opportunity to share my values and experiences.

The full interview, in Korean, is lengthy, so I've summarized it here for non-Korean speakers.

 

To read the original, click the image below.

Refer: Original Blog in Brunch

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How we met

 

We first met three years ago in a business English program. Due to COVID, in-person meetings were rare, but on our first offline day, we took a walk around Gangnam. That day changed everything about our friendship.

 

As a former HR recruiter, she welcomed me into my first career journey. At the time, I was struggling with low-self confidence after failing multiple job interviews. She helped me explore why I could be the best fit for my chosen roles. A single question from her led to my "Eureka!" moment, shifting the way I approached my career. I'm deeply grateful for her support, which became the foundation for everything since.

 

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Our first presentation as a team

Our Interview

 

Q. How has life been since you started your second career in March?

At first, it was hectic, but things are now starting to balance out. I begin each day with meditation and morning journaling, which sets a positive tone.

 

Q. I also keep a gratitude journal. How do you handle negative emotions in your journaling?

I use a five-question format each morning:

1. What am I grateful for? It brings a lot of my thank moments.

2. What is today's top priority?

3. Did anything noteworthy happen yesterday?

The last two questions allow me to review my current state and plan forward:

4. How am I feeling now?

5. What is working? and What could be improved?

This routine began two years ago during a difficult period. Starting my day with meditation, journaling, and small challenges like waking up early transformed my midset, allowing me to focus better and feel more grounded.

 

Q. Do you still write a lot?

Yes! I maintain two blogs- one in Korean and another in English- and post on Linkedin.

 

Q. What comes to mind when you think of "me time"?

Currently, I'm working to bring my dream of becoming a CEO closer to reality. This includes financil planning and envisioning how I'd invest in a new business. I believe a true CEO requires a balance of mental, physical, and financial health.

 

Q. You've embraced various activities like ballet, meditation, writing and reading. What do they mean to you?

• Ballet taught me the power of incremental growth - how something unfamiliar can bring both mental and phsical fulfillment.
• Meditation connects me with my mind and emotions, helping me manage impatience.
• Writing captures my thoughts, growth, and reflections. Re-reading it often surprises me with insights I didn't realize I had.
• Books feel like starting a new relationship; they bring fresh perspectives, particularly in business, self-development, and mindfulness.

 

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Q. You seem comfortable facing difficual challenges. How does this align with your future goals?

I am motivated by challenges and problem-solving. If I reach financial stabililty, I'd like to consult proactively. Many people approach work defensively, but a CEO must have the courage to ask, "What can we do?" instead of "Why can't we?" I save and invest today for the ability to make bold choices tomorrow.

 

Q. How do you balance existing routines with new goals?

I tweak my methods but keep the same directions. This year, I took on creating my own community. While I considered starting a podcast, I prefer sharing experiences in an interactive format, so I started a book club through a company CSR initiative. This has led me toward writing, consulting, and creating my own business methodologies, as I believe real experience in operating, finance, and marketing will help me support others more effectively.

 

 

Chapter 2 coming soon