[One Thousand Characters a Day] Chairman Yoon Dong-han's 'Steady Progress, Long Journey Together' <4>

Editor's NoteIs there a way to gain profit while doing the right thing? The philosophy of Yoon Dong-han, Chairman of Korea Kolmar, widely known as a studying CEO, is that "even if you suffer a loss, choosing the right path will surely return as profit." This teaching comes from Dasan Jeong Yak-yong, who is a mentor that Chairman Yoon turns to at every "moment of choice" during his 34 years of management experience. For him, reading is not merely an act of reading books but an important self-development activity for employees and a crucial growth engine that drives innovation and change for the company's development. Korea Kolmar requires writing at least six book reviews annually through its in-house reading program, "Kolmar Book School," where everyone from the CEO to new employees reads one book per month. As of August last year, the number of book reviews registered with the company reached 145,823. Word count: 873.

1. Read books at least once a day

2. Read more than two books a week

3. Read three different types of books at a time

This is the 123 rule of reading that I have set. By making reading a habit on a daily and weekly basis, no matter how busy you are, you can bring reading into your daily life. Also, reading books of different fields and natures alternately is one of the ways to increase reading efficiency. When choosing books to read, I usually divide them into three types: light reading such as poetry or short stories, medium-weight literature and general knowledge books, and classics or specialized books that require careful reading. By selecting books according to levels, you can read appropriately depending on time, place, and situation.

If your head feels heavy and tired but you have to read ＜Juyeok (The Book of Changes)＞ or ＜Jeonggwan Jeongyo (Essentials of Governance)＞, it is a great ordeal unless you like history. At such times, reading light literary works helps to refresh your mind.

On airplanes, I read books related to the destination or books about hobbies. On the other hand, heavy books that require considerable concentration to absorb the content are read in the morning when my mind is clearest. In this way, I flexibly arrange my own reading schedule.

What is a happy life? I believe happiness is directly proportional to the sum of time spent in pure immersion. Time when you enter a selfless state without expecting any reward, driven by pure passion. The more such time you have, the happier your life becomes. The fastest way to immerse yourself healthily in something is reading. I feel the purest happiness when reading books. It is an act solely for myself during the day, so I fully enjoy it. I keep books close at hand regardless of time and place and take them out whenever I have a moment for this reason.

- Yoon Dong-han, ＜Wubo Cheonri Donghaeng Malli＞, Guardian, 18,000 KRW