Spiritual Bookshelf Episode 2：The Gift

心靈書架 Spiritual Bookshelf スピリチュアルな 本棚

Hi there! How’s your day going?

Today, we’re diving into the theme of “gifts.” When we think of gifts, the first thing that usually comes to mind might be birthday presents or Christmas gifts.

Among all the gifts you’ve received, is there one that stands out as especially meaningful? Something you still remember vividly even now? Take a moment to reflect—what’s the best gift you’ve ever received? When did you get it, and what made it so unforgettable?

For me, when I was a kid, I used to dream about learning to ride a bike. I imagined myself biking to school and even dreamt about it at night. One day during elementary school, my family surprised me with a bicycle. After school, I’d put my little dog in the basket on the front and ride around everywhere. That bike expanded my world, letting me explore places too far to walk to. It brought me countless fond memories.

Today, I want to share my thoughts on a book I recently read: The Present by Spencer Johnson.

This book tells the story of a young man who hears a wise elder say there’s a gift that can bring true success and happiness. But here’s the catch: this gift isn’t something others can give you—you have to discover it for yourself.

As the young man searches, he gradually realizes the gift isn’t a physical object but a philosophy for life. This philosophy revolves around three key principles:

1. Focus on the present.

2. Learn from the past.

3. Prepare for the future.

Here are my reflections on each principle:

1. Focus on the Present

Real happiness comes from being fully present in the moment. Whether you’re working or spending time with others, staying focused on now helps you get more done, feel less stressed, and build stronger relationships.

When I was a general manager at a tech company, our daily morning meetings were crucial. We’d review the past 24 hours’ production stats, address any equipment issues, and discuss client feedback or order updates.

However, these meetings often dragged on for hours, covering too many topics and cutting into actual work time. To address this, I tried an idea I read in a Japanese management book—stand-up meetings. Instead of sitting down, everyone would stand during the meeting. This simple change made the meetings much more efficient.

Standing encouraged everyone to stay focused. Long-winded speeches were replaced by concise, meaningful discussions. Meetings that used to take hours were now wrapped up in under 30 minutes. Over time, the team embraced this approach because it allowed more time for actual work.

This experience taught me how transformative it can be to focus on the present.

2. Learn from the Past

Recently, in Taiwan, we celebrated an exciting victory: Team Taiwan won the 2024 WBSC Premier12 championship. This success was a result of learning from past experiences.

In previous matches against Japan, we’d often start strong but lose momentum as they caught up. This time, however, we secured a 4:0 victory over Japan, ending their 27-game winning streak. It’s a perfect example of how learning from the past can lead to growth and triumph.

3. Prepare for the Future

Lastly, preparation is key to achieving success.

I learned that Team Taiwan’s success wasn’t just due to skilled players and coaches. Their massive 24-person data team gathered crucial insights that shaped their strategies. Armed with this information, the team could make smart, data-driven decisions in high-pressure moments.

This shows how vital it is to plan ahead and take actionable steps toward your goals.

As you think about these principles, here are a few ways you can apply them to your lif