This blog post introduces how to authentically convey your sincere motivation to support entrepreneurs and your practical preparation process in your cover letter.
My Growth Journey
From childhood, I grew up surrounded by my parents’ consistent encouragement and support, which emphasized finding what I could do best and enjoy most, rather than being swayed by others’ opinions or societal standards. My father, in particular, embodied this philosophy. He boldly left a stable position at a large corporation—one with a solid, enviable future—to pursue a field he was genuinely interested in and passionate about. Regarding that decision, he would say, “Rather than living like a machine just to earn money day after day, I wanted to focus on what makes my life more fulfilling,” always wearing a bright smile.
Even as a child, I was well aware of that company’s prestige. Therefore, my father’s decision to voluntarily leave such a position struck me not as a simple choice, but as a courageous act embodying a philosophy of life. It was a narrative of existence that resonated more deeply than any success story or biography of a great man, and it naturally had a profound influence on the direction of my own life.
The principle he often emphasized—“Live a life true to your own heart, not others’ expectations”—left a powerful impression on me. It sparked my dream to one day walk a path as self-directed and enterprising as his. Yet he personally demonstrated that such a path isn’t built on passion alone. He didn’t impulsively quit his job and run away. Instead, he thoroughly analyzed the future potential and investment value of the field, and only after gaining conviction and thorough preparation did he embark on this new challenge. He immersed himself in work day and night, approaching it with more passion than anyone else. He pioneered a field that hadn’t even established a proper system yet, carving out his own path and achieving meaningful results.
My father’s words, “I came out to enjoy life, not to starve to death,” remain deeply etched in my heart. This saying was more than just a resolution; it was a maxim that reminded me again that unprepared passion or reckless challenges can ultimately amount to nothing more than gambling. Through my father’s life, I learned that a challenge toward a truly desired life must be built upon thorough preparation and cold, hard judgment. Only on that foundation can passion truly shine.
School Days
During my school years, rather than being swayed by the opinions or judgments of others, I constantly strived to build an unshakable sense of self and live an autonomous life. Adolescence is a time when one can easily be swayed by peer pressure or adult opinions. Yet, rather than unquestioningly accepting the world’s countless armchair theories – “You won’t get a job if you do that,” “You’ll struggle to find a boyfriend if you do that,” “You won’t study well if you do that” – I valued the experiences and insights gained through direct action and confrontation far more. Seeing how advice disconnected from reality was repeated simply because “that’s how it’s always been,” I chose to find answers my own way rather than blindly follow such words.
Of course, people often say ‘children should listen to adults,’ but adults aren’t always wise or offer only advice worth following. From a young age, I believed ‘you need the autonomy to filter out advice that isn’t necessary for you.’ Thanks to that mindset, I could maintain my center like a deeply rooted tree, not a leaf fluttering aimlessly in the wind. My parents, whom I deeply respected and looked up to as role models, emphasized a principle that became a great source of strength: “No single education or teaching can apply equally to everyone; you must create your own filter.”
This teaching fostered the courage to uphold my standards even amidst trivial rumors or prejudices among friends. I could always draw a firm line against words or atmospheres I found unacceptable. Thanks to this, I navigated my school years with a much freer and steadier mind than others, free from unnecessary worries or emotional drain.
Regarding personality strengths and weaknesses
I possess a personality that sets clear milestones for my path forward and advances with unwavering determination once a direction is chosen. I first assess the terrain and characteristics of the chosen path, then develop a tailored strategy and undergo thorough preparation. Then, I discipline and push myself to avoid any mid-course regrets or wavering. Like an express train racing without stopping until it reaches its designated station, once the track is set, I advance toward the goal with unwavering focus.
Because of this tendency, I have always approached decisions with great caution, especially those concerning the direction of my life. Only after repeatedly confirming whether the path I’m about to choose will truly foster my growth and align with the future I genuinely desire do I finally take action. Consequently, once a decision is made, I rarely change course for minor reasons. Looking back, this caution has significantly helped me minimize trial and error and achieve results commensurate with my plans.
Of course, some people have told me that “life is a series of failures and successes,” and that it’s important to dive in and learn through experience. When I hear their optimistic advice—to take on any challenge, and even if the outcome differs from expectations, to embrace it as a valuable asset in life—I sometimes find myself envying that attitude. However, I have always fundamentally believed that the time allotted for life’s journey is not infinite. Therefore, rather than learning through mistakes, I have strived to design my life by carefully selecting opportunities that maximize success while minimizing the potential for failure.
This approach to life remains unchanged for me today. For me, the attitude of saving time, selecting possibilities, and taking full responsibility for the path I choose is not merely part of my personality, but an important principle for living life. Moving forward, based on this disposition, I intend to walk the path laid out before me with firm resolve, through deeper contemplation and preparation.
View on Life
I believe that acting on passion without sufficient preparation or realism is no different from charging headfirst into the ground. Sometimes, faced with practical problems, people adopt a passive stance, championing the idealistic notion that ‘following your heart is what truly matters.’ They encourage those choosing untrodden paths with talk of ‘pioneering spirit,’ pushing them forward with hopeful words like ‘passion alone can achieve anything,’ diverting their gaze from reality toward fantasy.
But reality isn’t that simple. The more untrodden the path, the more caution is needed. One must first assess whether their dream is sturdy enough to withstand the impact of reality. If venturing into a world where infrastructure is still lacking, fully recognizing the risks and uncertainties involved, and preparing with the necessary readiness and sense of responsibility, is paramount. Bungee jumping is courage only when the rope is properly secured; otherwise, it’s reckless bravado. Headbutting a ball without a helmet is less a thrilling challenge and more a shortcut to injury. Every challenge gains meaning only when its foundation and groundwork are solid.
Passion is undoubtedly a vital engine in life’s long journey. However, it only truly unleashes its power when accompanied by an attitude that constantly checks, prepares, and takes responsibility to ensure that passion can blend with reality. We must not forget that passion grounded in reality, rather than passion relying on fantasy, can be the real driving force that moves life.
Motivation for Application and Aspirations After Joining
In our country, countless people dream of and attempt to start businesses every year. Yet an equally staggering number fail to get their ventures off the ground, facing frustration beyond measure. The desire to unleash one’s abilities and vision in a free, unconstrained environment is undeniably positive. However, without a realistic perspective and concrete action plans to match, it becomes like trying to crack a rock with an egg. Ultimately, many become wounded and falter due to unprepared challenges. It is with the desire to offer more practical and realistic assistance to such individuals that I am applying to your company.
I possess the expertise and capabilities to realize my goals within your company and aspire to grow into a talent who can truly hold their own. I aspire to be someone who genuinely understands the weight and concerns of those facing the monumental life choice of starting a business, offering appropriate advice and alternatives—not merely engaging in consultations or performing tasks for the sake of performance metrics. Recognizing that for many aspiring entrepreneurs, this is not a casual “try-it-out” challenge but a desperate choice staking everything in life, I will deeply internalize that urgency and responsibility in my work. I will never forget that a single flawed judgment or careless attitude on my part could have an irreversible impact on someone’s life.
With this mindset, I pledge to faithfully fulfill my role as a member of your company and to continuously learn and grow to become a steadfast companion for those preparing to start their own businesses. I believe that through this process, my expertise will deepen, and I will be able to contribute meaningfully to the values and goals your company strives to achieve.
