Let me ask this first: Do you sometimes feel you run out of ideas or ways to boost your Business English sustainably?

You may have tried English lessons, focusing on books and grammar, even coaching.

Not everything works for everybody. Depending on your level and needs, there are different approaches.

In any case, however, you need to focus on your soft skills, too. For example, the mindfulness that I preach can help you be present when speaking English at work, set realistic goals for your progress, take it easy step by step, and treat yourself gently.

All of the above DO help you improve how you speak English immensely. It’s all about speaking naturally and confidently, right?

Now, let me introduce you to another concept, inspired by the Korean culture: Jeong (정).

It’s similar to mindfulness but presents a unique perspective and approach to things (and life) that can also be applied to your Business English.

You may already know that I am a massive fan of Korean culture. I regularly infuse new helpful elements into my Business English coaching.

Although sometimes my clients get surprised, they accept and adopt them in their language learning with joy and conviction.

Let’s see what the Korean concept of “Jeong” is all about and how it can help you boost your English skills and confidently speak the language.

What is Jeong? A short intro

Jeong- 정”- is a Korean word that encompasses feelings of affection, empathy, and loyalty.

It is a powerful concept that influences the way Korean society is shaped.

Jeong is “a deep connection and emotional bond that builds over time and through shared experiences with other people, places, or things”. It is a type of deep-seated love which can be directed to all, including yourself.

Jeong is not easy to define or translate, as it has many dimensions and nuances.

Some people describe it as a warm and fuzzy feeling, a sense of belonging, or a mutual understanding.

Jeong can be expressed in various ways, such as small gestures, acts of kindness, generosity, or sacrifice.

It is an integral part of Korean culture and values. It binds people together and creates a sense of community and harmony.

Jeong can also help people cope with difficulties and challenges, as they can rely on the support and comfort of their Jeong network.

Jeong can also inspire creativity and innovation, as people can share their ideas and passions with others who have jeong.

Can you relate? As you may see, there are some perspectives that can help you with your Business English (or any other language whatsoever). More on that further below.

Is Jeong the same as mindfulness?

That is an interesting question.

Both concepts are about the quality of relationships and well-being.

However, they are not exactly the same and may have different implications and applications.

The relationship between Jeong and mindfulness can be seen from different angles. One must also be creative and open-minded. Then, you can quickly see how these two concepts are intertwined.

Jeong can be regarded as a result of mindfulness, while mindfulness is a way to cultivate Jeong.

See? They are like the yin and yang of the Chinese culture.

In other words, by being mindful of oneself and others, one can develop deeper connections and emotional bonds that form Jeong.

Conversely, by having Jeong for oneself and others, one can practice mindfulness more easily and naturally.

Another possible way to look at it is that Jeong and mindfulness are complementary to each other.

For example, Jeong can help people feel more connected and supported but also make them more attached and dependent on others.

Mindfulness can help people become more aware and accepting of themselves and others, but it can also make them more detached and indifferent to others.

Therefore, Jeong and mindfulness can balance each other out and create a more optimal state of well-being.

How can you practice Jeong & apply it to your Business English?

Jeong (and mindfulness alike) is about understanding yourself, where you are, and how you feel. That’s important in language learning because it helps remove some of the burdens you carry (like stress, anxiety, and fear).

It’s also about having a positive life approach, including language learning. It’s OK to make mistakes, they are part of the game. It’s also OK to stall at times; we, humans, are not robots and cannot perform to our full potential 24/7/365.

Furthermore, Jeong requires practice and mindful cultivation. This is very important when you struggle with your English. Your level may be good enough, but the words don’t come out of your mouth effortlessly. On the contrary, they come out with fear and a low voice (signaling a lack of confidence) or don’t come out at all (freezing, right?). You need to practice and take on any opportunities to speak English at work, be it a small casual chat or leading a meeting or presentation in English, to name a few.

One can identify, though, a significant difference. But let me demystify that as well. Mindfulness, as you may know, is about the here and now, the present.

Many claim that Jeong is apparently more about the past and the future. Well, let me say this now: You need to befriend the past to overcome some of your fears and struggles. You also need to gently look at the future with no pressure or unrealistic, unattainable goals.

So, yes, this is a sweet spot between the here and now (mindfulness) and the past and future. Remember this at all times: focus on the WHAT IS and distance yourself from the WHAT IF.

Be it your present, past, or future self (regarding your English language skills), take it for what it is or was. What is done is done; you can’t change your mistakes or failures (and it’s OK). What is now is simply that. Every moment quickly becomes part of the past, so enjoy the time you speak English at any business occasion and connect; that’s more important than making a mistake or two, or sounding flawless (does that even exist?) or (even worse) like a native (no need to aim at that).

Let me share some best practices on how to cultivate both Jeong and mindfulness in your language learning:

Practice gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful way to appreciate what you have. You may have already worked on your English skills hard. Take some time and appreciate that. You can practice gratitude by writing down the things that you are grateful for every day (generally in life or with your work and English skills precisely). You can also experience gratitude by paying attention to what you think and feel when you are in a grateful mode. It feels good and gives you motivation to continue.

Be present. Being present means being aware of what is happening in the present moment without judging or reacting to it. You can use meditation, mindfulness techniques, and even breathing exercises that help you get down to the here and now. Also, you can try shifting from passive to active learning. For example, practice active listening or reading, where you pay attention to the words spoken or written, go deeper, and examine why they were used, how, and what meaning they conveyed, instead of simply listening to English while watching a film or reading the news on BBC.

Be compassionate. Compassion is a feeling of empathy and kindness towards yourself and others. As they say, “Don’t judge so you don’t get judged yourself”. That’s absolutely true. When you judge others for their bad or inadequate English, you prep your mind to do the same to yourself when you start speaking English at a meeting or presentation. “You are not good yourself, either!”, says the little monkey voice in your head. Treat everyone (including yourself) with kindness and respect. It pays off.

Be curious. Curiosity is a state of openness and interest in learning new things. It can be practised by being more active when learning or speaking English. Ask questions; if you don’t understand or comprehend something, ask for a clearer explanation or more details. Also, asking for feedback from others (How is my English? How did you find me presenting in English?) may be intimidating. Still, it can also give you unique perspectives on your English: what you did wrong, and you can improve, as well as what you did well and you can capitalise on.

Be creative. Creativity can help you find what works best for you when it comes to improving your Business English. Avoid sticking to one thing, approach, or method. Try new things, change books, organise your learning or practising time differently, and identify new ways of learning. That will only get you far. Not many professionals do that. Most simply stick to a 2-hour lesson with a teacher or coach, “hoping” for miracles to happen. An experienced coach can also guide you through a more creative learning and practising process. Did you know that practising English in front of a mirror or recording yourself on video can be one of the best ways to practice?

To sum up, Jeong and mindfulness can help you gain unique perspectives on your language learning.

Applying their concepts and tools can help you reach a breakthrough in your English.

It’s not easy peasy, as that process requires you to change your mindset and solve your professional and linguistic blockages.

Here is a last piece of advice: be gentle and kind with yourself, and don’t beat yourself up for not making the progress you want; you just have to be consistent, and time will tell. Be flexible and adaptable; change or drop something altogether if something doesn’t work. Be curious and open-minded; don’t limit your options and growth potential. Try different things, approaches, and people to help you.

In any case, patience and perseverance always pay off.

Let me end this article in a true Korean and Jeong fashion:

You can have all the tools in the world, but if you don’t genuinely believe in yourself (and the people who help you, I would add), it’s useless.