Friday, December 11, 2009

Self-management


Dear sisters ........ how are you? It's cold, wet and windy in Tokyo today. I was planning to pay a visit to Gosireh Gon in Ikebukuro today, but decided to stay home. Are you all getting ready for Christmas? Just like to continue my philosophical talk after the '110%' .......

In Korea, Yong Joon’s phenomenal success is being attributed to his sound self-management. Because of this fine and exceptional quality in an actor, he is being sought after as the image of major business corporations and spokesperson for government/social campaigns. We all know Yong Joon is not someone who readily accepts any proposals. In fact, he is synonymous with saying ‘NO’ and is extremely selective on his projects and commitments (otherwise we won’t be sticking our necks out for so long on his next acting :)


However once our handsome prince has committed himself, he does throw his body and soul fiercely into work. Of course we understand Yong Joon has a whole lot more responsibilities and burdens than the average Joe on the street. Say if this ajumma doesn’t cook for a night, the worst case is hubby and son will have to endure a quick Japanese salary man’s meal – the oh-so-convenient obento box! (hehe, which they are secretly clapping their hands anyway :) Or if I don’t rehearse what I am going to say and do in Japanese before I step out of the house, it will be like a 'chicken talking to the duck' scene (hehe, quoting the Chinese saying. Well, you can picture what I mean :) Still, no big consequence for the little me! But our Yonsama is a totally different story - this important man has bookings, events, deadlines, work crews and a whole team of staffs. His every move affects the livelihoods of many people across different industries and triggers rippling effects in Korea and Japan – both economically and socially.


We’ve heard Yong Joon repeated this many times, “Because I am not smart enough, I just have to do my very best”. You know, I truly believe he is not just being modest or fake. He tends to favor projects that he has never attempted before, and carries that desire and humility like a new apprentice. Whenever we think of self-discipline, very often we associate it with rules and limitations on one’s pleasure and freedom. Obviously Yong Joon is a very intelligent man, but his strict self-discipline and ‘perfectionist’ standards would drain too much energy out from him time after time.


Not too long ago, a nice sister told me in an honest manner (or should I add earnest too?) that I say ‘Yes’ too often and tend to exhaust myself. Yes (oops, there I go again!), ever since we decided to move to Japan 2 years ago, life has started to spin at a fast forward mode. We see, we listen, we feel, we learn, we enjoy – as if we have to experience what takes a lifetime to go through. Japan - the place, the culture and the people of course, carries a very special meaning in my heart. Very often, I tend to over commit myself and say ‘Yes’ to too many engagements. Maybe in my case, self-management is more like self-realization of the limitation on my own capabilities – physical, time and family. Like Yong Joon, it’s more prudent to say ‘No’ and focus only on what means the most, then I can really give it 100% and enjoy the experience. Sorry if I don’t make any sense to you, am I trying to justify things to myself? Haha, you bet I am!


As Yong Joon said, “Everything has its own time” (and place, if I may add). I also believe everything (good or bad) happens for a reason, thus everyone who appears in your life (and vice versa) has a reason to be there too. So to my dear sisters, if I haven't written to you for a while, please know that you are always in my heart. Thanks for reading along, please take care!

18 comments:

Unknown said...

Hi Jaime

Thanks for the continuation from 110%.

Our dear YJ's strict self-discipline is one of his most admired quailities . . . albeit a bit too harsh on himself sometimes.

In your middle para. about how one sister told you that you say "yes" too easily and take on too much, it reminds me of how in WS, Jun Sang told Yujin that she must learn how to say no too. Am I missing our Prince too much?

And I like your last para.- exactly my perspective of all that happen.Many a time, we just cannot see the bigger picture, that's all.

Thanks again Jaime

rgds
alcy

Yee said...

Hi Lady,

I used to be the one hard to say "No", but when I get older I can say it easier. But Thank to the people (understanding) around me, I do not have to say that much.
Very strick and stick to his principle and value is one of the characters of YJ, I admired the most.
Thanks for the continuation of 110%, which I like it very much.
Christmas is just around the corner... it's time to have fun, laugh and cry with Joon Sun, Minh Huoen and Yu Jin again.

love,
Y.

annacronism said...

Hi, Jaime.
I hope you are well. I have been too busy to think about Christmas, yet. I am like you in trying to take on too much at times. Right now I am taking final exams for this semester in college. And, work takes part of my time, too. But, thanks to your nice postings about Yong Joon, I am learning to concentrate on the most important things right now. Over Christmas break, I will catch up on the rest. But, I have to make time to stay in touch with the Bae Family, because that is important to me, too. Love, Anna

jaime said...

Hi alcy,

Oh, I almost forgot that scene that MinHyung told Yujin she must be more decisive. What a gracious man, so understanding even though Yujin left with Sanyuk the night before!

Hehe, I think we are all missing him too much. Knowing that he is resting well makes me happy too :)

Have a nice weekend!
regards .... jaime

jaime said...

Hi Yee,

You are very fortunate to have family and friends who are so understanding.

I think the no.1 issue is myself. For Yong Joon, he knows very clearly what his goals are and plans his path accordingly. He will say 'NO' to anything that deviates from achieving his goals.
I have yet to learn from the handsome one :)

Have a nice winter holidays!
love ... jaime

jaime said...

Hi annacronism,

WHen I read about sisters like you and Hyds, who are studying and working at the same time, I feel very embarassed to even complain about not having enough time.

Sure I am eager to try and learn new knowledge, but there are only a handful of super human who can have it all, and I am definitely not in that category. I hope we can both enjoy doing what interests us most :)

Have a wonderful Christmas!
regards ... jaime

Anonymous said...

Hi Jaime,

It's a cold day again, but just thinking of Yon-sama and listening to this BGM from your blog make me warm. I think Young Joon ssi is a happy person in a sense that he can say 'No' and concentrate on one thing. If he were an ordinary actor he had no freedom to choose his work. As we all know that once he picks his work what he shoulders would be huge, I want him to enjoy finding and trying new things at least.

I'm now reading a few pages of his book every night ('cause I don't want to finish soon) and knew how much energy he devoted to the project, and at the same time I'm very happy to know that he did what he really wanted to do. Reading 300 books wasn't just what he had to do but he wanted to do (to some extent).

Last night I found a passage that he likes Ando Tadao's architecture,
who designed Omote Sando Hills and whom I met and dined with in Osaka. He also mentined the simple tea bowl made in Korea, in which Japanese tea masters found the beauty. I'm happy to think we were "connected" in some ways, hehe.

Love,
cloud nine

Hydee Pole Photography said...

Dear Jaime,
Thanks for the second instalment.. Surely needed it today. I love the last part. I also believe in it.
Keep warm.
Love loads,
hyds

Anonymous said...

Dear Jaime and Bae sisters:
Greetings on a cold wintry weekend. I have always loved postings on self management like this one. And I remember Russell Ackoff who said that you cannot cause the other to develop, you can only "self-develop", and Bae Yong Joon applies it in his life.
May I also share with you a knol that I have started to write. Please Google search, then click on "and more" at the upper left side, then click on knol at the lower right side, then search for "Lovers in Paris, a critique" by Josephine Acosta Pasricha. It is an article on self management, change management, leadership.
A warm read.
Merry and Happy.
Sarang Hamnida,
josephine

Anonymous said...

Hi Jaime,

Am glad to read your follow up installment.

I too find your last para very meaningful and I truly believe in " It all happens for a reason". Most importantly, the learning from the experience makes us better people. This is what I have learnt the past couple of months.

Another hard lesson was over-stretching one's limits till my health was affected. Sometimes, we think we can manage the stress and commitments but our body might not.

So, YJ has done the right thing, reduce his commitments and take this time to recuperate.

Hope I have not been too long winded and bored you.

Jaime and all other sisters,
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Take care and Stay Healthy.

sarang haeyo,
Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Jaime and Bae sisters:
Greetings on a beautiful great amazing day.
The good news is that "Karunungan" a journal of philosophy, is already out by this December 2009. The journal contains my academic paper on "Junzi by Confucius and the Archetypes of Carl Jung in Bae Yong Joon and the Winter Sonata. Copies my be ordered from the UST Publishing House, University of Santo Tomas, Espana, Sampaloc, Manila Philippines.
You can also view it at;
http://knol.google.com/k/josephine-acosta/junzi-of-confucius-and-archetypes-of/3h6jhxpqiqmxn/2

Have a warm read, specially on cold wintry nights.
Sarang Hamnida,
josephine pasricha

jenny said...

Dear Jaimie

Hope u are fine . The weather there is getting colder and colder , so pls take good care of your health. Quite sometime din leave any comment here cause busy at work this time of the year . Thanks for sharing this beautiful write up of yours. Learn alot from it.

To me, I would say self discipline is an important criteria to all human being but the only things happen to us is we are very difficult to fulfill and don't hvae the edge to do it 110 % as u mention . YJ is different , he know clearly what he want to and plan his career acordingly .

Chirstmas is around the corner. Wishing u and all bae sisters a " Merry Chirstmas and Properous New Year ".

Love

Jenny

jaime said...

Dear cloudnine,

So sorry for my late reply. I was sick the last few days.

I am so happy that you can find comfort in reading a few pages of his book every night. Maybe I should try reading (or should I say guessing?) 1 page a night? What a wonderful way to pass this cold winter :)

Please take care!
love ... jaime

jaime said...

Hi Hyds,

I hope you are feeling fine by now. Hehe, thanks for feeling the same way. Sometimes we just have to philosophize things so they make more sense :)

Have a good week ahead!
love ... jaime

jaime said...

Dear Josephine,

Thank you so much for sharing your works. I am amazed at your knol on BYJ. Do you mind if I show this link on a new post so it is more obvious? I am going away for Christmas and I love to print this out and read it on the plane.

Also, will you please give me the link to your 'Lovers in Paris, a critique' knol too? Sorry I am not very good in googling it. Thanks and I am truly impressed! What an honour to have you sharing your knowledge here with me :)

love .... Jaime

jaime said...

Hi dear Marilyn,

Thanks for your comment. Sounds like your health was not too well lately, right? Are you very busy with your work and family? I guess it does not help that the holidays is coming, huh? I remember I used to be so stressed out buying gifts, decorating and preparing for parties. Please take it easy and select only the ones you enjoy doing most. Hope everything is fine now.

Have a nice holidays!
love ... jaime

jaime said...

Dear Jenny,

Thanks for still coming around even though you are so busy. I hope you will have lots of time to relax over the holidays. Yes, I think being very clear on our goals like Yong Joon will save us a lot of unnecessary efforts on other unrelated tasks. He is just an amazing human being. Hope he is enjoying his holidays now :)

Please take care and don;t overwork!
love .... jaime

annacronism said...

Jamie,
Thank you for the Christmas wishes, sister. I'm sorry I hadn't read these comments in the past few days, but I have been trying to get caught up on all my Christmas shopping and decorating and that sort of thing. So busy, but never too busy to stay in touch with our family. I just squeeze it all in somehow. As for studying and working, I wish I were superhuman, my dear. It would make things a lot easier.LOL. The very best Christmas wishes for you and your family, and all of our family around the world. Love, Anna