Recently, I’ve been spending time with a friend who works in the corporate world, listening to his worries and struggles. He was a colleague from my first job; after working as a consultant, he rose through the ranks at breakneck speed to become an executive vice president at a major corporation, only to be demoted back to a department head following a reorganization. A year ago, I had the chance to meet him for dinner. With top-tier academic credentials and a background as a consultant at a global IT firm, he had followed what is often called the “elite path,” rising to become an executive in charge of overseas operations at one of Korea’s largest conglomerates. However, he was relieved of his duties and sidelined during a process where executives from the global headquarters were recruited and the organization was restructured with their inner circle. As a result, he was suffering from depression and panic disorder.
As I listened to his story, I shared my own experiences from my time as a delivery driver to show empathy. I encouraged him, telling him he was already doing a great job, and offered my comfort. When we met again recently, his face looked much more at peace. We deliberately met at a restaurant near his home to have a relaxed conversation. It was a place he often visited with his family, but I was deeply moved when he said he had never really had a proper meal there because he was always too busy taking care of his family. It felt like I was seeing the quintessential image of a Korean family man who had worked tirelessly to support his family. Fortunately, he seemed much more mentally stable, and he didn’t appear to be under significant work-related stress. The conversation naturally turned to life after retirement, what he needed to prepare for, and what he had originally enjoyed doing. Although he had let go of his ambition for a higher position and was calmly continuing his corporate life, he still seemed to be plagued by an inexplicable anxiety and a sense of uncertainty about how to decide on his next career path.
So, I advised him to start by registering as a sole proprietor to cultivate an “entrepreneurial mindset.” I told him that even before starting a specific business, registering as a sole proprietor would change his perspective on the world and that he should no longer live solely with an employee’s mindset. It was a process I had gone through myself, and since it takes quite a long time to truly internalize that entrepreneurial mindset, I told her to start as soon as possible. I also encouraged her not to overcomplicate things and to try writing a blog with the mindset of simply organizing the work she’d done so far. At the same time, I shared a method for building new knowledge and sharpening her critical thinking skills by listening to audiobooks.
Finally, to help him break the habit of falling asleep while scrolling on his phone after work, I suggested a simple method to promote better sleep. I told him to try a routine for just three days: putting on soft pajamas, drinking warm tea, and reading a book until he fell asleep. I cheered him on, hoping that this small change would become a miraculous habit, and I prayed for him.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
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