Mistakes, failure catalyst for success, book says

By Jin Yu-young

Korean-Canadian entrepreneur and author Jae Park outlines the key to success in his latest book, “The Power of TODA(y).”

Tracing his background to a humble a family struggling to make ends meet, Park explains how his mistakes and failures became the catalyst for his accomplishments today.

“The problem that I had, that many others share, was knowing I could produce so much more, yet the results in my life weren't equal to what I knew my potential was,” he says.

But after persisting in his efforts, taking calculated risks and meeting the right people, Park was able to not only pay back his debt but also create a successful business.

The book is divided into five main sections, with each pertaining to a word in the acronym TODAY2. The acronym serves as the theme of book and the key to developing the right mindset for a better future. By thoroughly discussing each component of his model, the author effectively helps readers take the first step in reaching success.

“TODAY” stands for Time, Opportunity, Development, Assessment, and Yield2, with Yield having a double meaning of both producing desirable outcomes and submitting to the needs of others. In each section, Park provides real examples from his own personal experiences as well as information he has acquired throughout his life.

For example, in the chapter called Time, Park emphasizes the importance of developing an efficient relationship with time and leveraging it to one's advantage. “Time is precious. It is a finite commodity that can't be bought, sold, traded, or given… we need to get time on our side, by valuing it with the respect it deserves.” He also encourages readers to make active use of today rather than procrastinating until a later date. By doing so, we will not only be able to more quickly achieve immediate tasks but also become motivated to get a head start on future goals.

Park challenges readers to take proactive measures by giving assignments at the end of each section. In the Development chapter, he urges readers to write down several problems they face and then proceed to solve them by researching one problem each day. In the Yield2 chapter he encourages audience members to list out their daily accomplishments, no matter how small, to boost confidence. By proposing small yet impactful changes, Park makes success approachable and feasible.

The author's main message in The Power of TODA(y) is that in order to have a better tomorrow, we must focus on bringing about change today. He addresses the readers in a final message by saying, “I hope [this book] proves to be the opportunity you needed to get yourself in the gear to squeeze out every precious moment of TODAY and get all you can out of the time you have left!”

Jin Yu-young is a Korea Times intern.