I have been working as a finance officer at a private high school in Orange County, California for over 15 years.

This means I have been buried in numbers, ledgers, reports, and financial statements every day.

Some people think that working at a school is easy, but in reality, managing finances at a private school is not a simple task.

From tuition calculations, budget execution, payroll accounting, preparing audit materials, to managing various donations, there is a mountain of paperwork to handle all year round.

For me, a cup of coffee in the morning is more of a 'ritual' than a 'choice.'

Brewing drip coffee in the break room as soon as I wake up or stopping by the Starbucks drive-thru on my way to work is my routine.

Those few minutes of drinking coffee might be the most 'relaxed time' of my day.

In fact, looking back, I have relied on coffee for over a decade.

It's not just about waking up from fatigue; after having a cup of coffee, I feel like my thoughts start to take shape.

It's as if the numbers buried in documents suddenly become organized.

I wondered if this was just my illusion, but it turns out that humanity as a whole has benefited from coffee throughout history.

There is a theory that after the Renaissance, when coffee began to gain popularity in Europe, the way people think changed.

Before that, the main beverages in Europe were beer and wine, but as coffee, a stimulating stimulant, became popular, the very nature of productivity and thinking changed.

Some interpretations suggest that coffee was one of the backgrounds for the expansion of knowledge, as people gathered in cafes to discuss philosophy and science and exchange business ideas.

Of course, coffee didn't create all the changes, but it certainly played a role as a stimulant that awakens the human mind.

Living as an office worker in America, that story resonates with me.

Unlike in Korea, where you can take a smoke break, make coffee, and check stock prices on your smartphone, there is hardly any 'gap' here.

This is not the atmosphere here.

During work hours, things run almost non-stop.

Even in the middle of meetings, I have to check real-time documents on my laptop, and email notifications come in one after another.

One wrong number can affect the salaries of dozens of people, so mistakes are absolutely unacceptable.

Therefore, to prevent even a moment of distraction, the power of coffee is essential.

A senior colleague at the next desk drinks coffee three times a day.

Once after arriving in the morning, once before the morning meeting, and once again around the time afternoon fatigue hits.

Honestly, after lunchtime, I find it hard to concentrate without coffee.

In those moments, instead of black coffee, I can supplement my energy with a latte that has a bit of milk and syrup, allowing me to last a couple of hours without any issues.

Of course, some people look for something stronger. Red Bull or Monster.

When coffee isn't enough and a strong stimulant is needed, some colleagues don't hesitate to pull out Red Bull or Monster.

But personally, I consider that an 'emergency measure.' In the long run, coffee seems to be much less stimulating and better for the stomach.

Sometimes juniors ask me, "When did you get into coffee?"

I don't remember exactly, but I think it started in my early 30s when my workload began to increase significantly.

At first, I drank coffee half-heartedly because I didn't know the taste, but at some point, starting work without coffee became a source of anxiety for me.

In that sense, coffee is more than just a beverage; it is a kind of rhythm.

It is the button to start work and the switch for concentration.

Whether it's a sunny morning in Orange County or a cloudy, rainy afternoon, there is always coffee on my desk.

This is not just a preference; it is a part of my daily life and sometimes fuel for survival.

As I wrestle with numbers while holding a cup of coffee, things eventually come together at some point.

As I manage to get through each day, I continue to turn the financial pages with coffee by my side.

The conclusion is this: to survive as an office worker in America, coffee is essential. Red Bull is optional.

Some people manage well without it, but I am not confident in that.

Coffee provides me with enough effect.