Becoming an unwavering “determinator.”(Grit & Glamor Epi.32）
Making daily efforts and living in the moment is difficult until it becomes normal.
Previously
After deciding to start an apparel consulting business post-independence, my mentor predicted, “You will likely struggle.” True to those words, the initial stages of my consulting yielded no results, and my relationship with the business owner began to falter. As a desperate measure, I improved the store layout, but it was met with criticism instead, and the desired results did not materialize. Furthermore, a contract with another company ended prematurely, and my friendship with a collaborator was strained. Through my mentor’s advice, I realized I had been imposing my own success stories onto others. This experience gave me an opportunity to reflect on the essence of coaching, teaching me the importance of not changing others but instead providing them with the spark for transformation.
10.13 Three Days Until Leaving My Salaryman Job
With just three days left before leaving my salaryman job, I wrote this on my blog:
“May 28, 2006
I want to share the power of living life positively after becoming independent. Though I’ve faced negative situations in the past, I’ve always pursued what I wanted to do without regrets, constantly making efforts and finding creative solutions. These actions led to the necessary events in my life, and overcoming them helped carve out my path.
I believe that accumulating small successes every day builds confidence and attracts good things into life. By continuing to grow, we enhance our fortune, and a positive mindset draws in people with good luck.”
Even now in 2024, this belief remains steadfast within me. I continue updating my blog daily, designing planners under my unique concept, “ONE DAY ONE UNIT,” and supporting the daily growth of many people through online camps. The strong determination I had before independence has blossomed into a way of adding color to the lives of many others.
Why have I remained so unwavering? The answer lies in the formative experiences I had with my elementary school teachers.
For example, my second-grade teacher created a singing time every morning and, at the end of the school year, gave us a collection of songs we had sung, along with a cassette tape. This was a tangible representation of the accumulation of a year’s efforts, and I still vividly remember how moved I was.
In fourth grade, another teacher gave us a daily kanji challenge called “One Character a Day.” I submitted my work every day, and the teacher always gave me feedback. This daily exchange taught me the importance of consistent effort.
In middle school, my homeroom teacher published a daily class newsletter. By documenting the events of each day, they instilled in us a sense of joy in cherishing each moment.
Each of these teachers embodied the value of daily accumulation. Over the course of a year, these small efforts turned into precious memories, bound into thick files that brought us immense joy. This philosophy eventually became my own core value, forming the foundation of how I strive to live each day deliberately.
That’s why, from the day I started blogging, writing every day or exchanging emails with my mentor daily felt completely natural to me. Today, this has evolved into the form of “ONE DAY ONE UNIT,” allowing me to help others grow and find happiness. I’m filled with gratitude for the opportunity to contribute in this way.
Everything is connected. With this realization, I’m committed to continuing to cherish each day and build upon it, one step at a time.
10.14 The Day I Graduated as an Apparel Store Manager
On the day I gave my farewell speech as an apparel store manager, I was surprised when I arrived at the shopping mall’s office. About 20 staff members had gathered, and I found myself addressing everyone. In my blog at the time, I wrote, “It felt like a scene straight out of the movie “Bayside Shakedown.”
The staff members said, “We’ve learned so much from you!” and I replied with heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you for everything.” Memories flooded back — celebrating a record-breaking monthly sales achievement of 50.5 million yen with a hot pot party, the team helping hang banners from the ceiling, and the media prioritizing my store for interviews.
On my last day, the team from the Shibuya store surprised me with a large bouquet of flowers. Among them was Ms. O, who was also leaving at the same time. I vividly recall Ms. I laughing as they explained, “I chose a flashy, oversized bouquet for you, Ms. Horiguchi, and a more unique one for Ms.O.”
As a thank-you, I gave each staff member a copy of *The Creation of Meaning*, a book that had profoundly influenced my life. I included a personal message with each book, and as I handed them out, I felt overwhelmed with gratitude and teared up.
“A team is like a puzzle — it’s incomplete if even one piece is missing.” That’s how I felt about the incredible group of people I worked with. Parting ways was bittersweet, but my heart was full of gratitude and hope for the future. As I said my final goodbyes with, “I’ll be cheering for you wherever you are,” I returned home with the enormous bouquet that required a taxi ride to carry.
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10.15 The Morning of My First Day of Independence
On the morning of my first day as an independent professional, an email from my mentor deeply resonated with me:
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Ms. Horiguchi,
How does it feel on the morning of your first day of independence? I imagine it’s a mix of anxiety and excitement. This experience will one day serve to help others. Remember to keep evolving daily. You’ve got this.
Yutaka Kanai
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Those words gave me the push I needed to begin my new journey with confidence.