Diving in before the doors close — if you can make it, you’ll make it. (Grit & Glamor Epi.29)
Sometimes your future self sends you a sign. It’s never too late to catch up. Your future self will be glad you did.
Previously:
The protagonist, while striving for independence, continues to grow through daily email exchanges with their mentor, Kanai. Despite grappling with anxiety and pressure, they gradually stabilize their income from a side job and begin to deeply reflect on the idea of “change.” One day, through an interaction with a customer who fears change, the protagonist is deeply moved by Kanai’s teaching that “change requires granting oneself permission.” From this, they learn the importance of supporting others in discovering their own capacity for growth. At the same time, as they prepare for their first solo seminar, they confront feelings of isolation and uncertainty but find solace in returning to a simple guiding thought: “I just want to be of help to others.” With Kanai’s advice, they realize the importance of embracing uncertainty and seeking their own inner compass. After experiencing the fulfillment of a successful seminar, the protagonist feels the joy of shaping their authentic self. By steadily taking on small challenges, clarifying their goals, and bringing them to life, they begin to carve out a brighter future.
10.6 A New Path Guided by Time and Space
“My resignation at the end of May has been officially approved. I hope my transition to independence goes smoothly.”
On the quiet evening of March 29, 2006, under the light of the new moon, I opened my planner and carefully wrote these words, feeling a growing sense of determination welling up within me.
The new moon symbolizes a “new beginning.” That night, perhaps somewhere in my consciousness, I had sent a quiet wish out into the universe, envisioning my future. But deciding to walk a new path does not mean everything will go smoothly.
Shortly afterward, an unexpected challenge appeared. One of my key staff members at the Shibuya store — our “poster girl,” who had brilliantly showcased our brand through her cool poses on the blog — suddenly announced her resignation.
The moment I received the news, my mind was overwhelmed with worry. How could I fill the gap left by her absence? It was obvious that the store’s burden would increase. Furthermore, with my own resignation imminent, could I find someone new in time? And above all, a troubling question lingered in my mind:
“Did my coaching make her ‘dreams’ too clear?”
I couldn’t shake the feeling that my words had influenced her decision and perhaps pushed her to take this step. That thought, mingled with responsibility, grew larger and larger, amplifying the unease in my heart.
In this moment, my mentor offered a calm remark:
“She’s just moving from one place to another; nothing has really changed.”
At first, the words felt almost cold, but strangely, they resonated deeply with me. When viewed through the lens of the future, her resignation was simply part of her personal growth. For me, it might have been a sign — an indication that “letting go” was preparing me to welcome new possibilities.
The next day, my mentor sent me an email:
“This morning, I suddenly started deep cleaning. I ended up removing six bags of unnecessary items from the closet. I even canceled a planned meeting with a friend in New York because something just felt ‘off.’”
Reading this, I felt a strange sensation stir within me. The act of canceling plans and starting a deep clean — the “realignment of misalignments” — what could this signify?
And the day after that, a similar feeling visited me.
That morning, I woke up and glanced at the clock. It read 7:38 AM. The bullet train I was scheduled to board was departing at 7:58 AM. Normally, I would have resigned myself to the situation, thinking, “There’s no way I can make it.”
But in that moment, an inexplicable certainty arose within me.
“I’ll make it.”
There was no logical reason, no rational explanation — just a strong, mysterious sense that something greater was guiding me forward.
I quickly dressed, washed my face, tossed my makeup kit into my bag, and rushed out the door. It was a three-minute walk to the nearest station, followed by a three-minute train ride to the bullet train station. With each step, my heart raced faster, and the thought “I’ll make it” continued to propel me forward. Miraculously, I slid through the closing doors of the bullet train just in time.
Once aboard, I quickly freshened up in the restroom and settled into my seat. Taking a deep breath, I turned to see a dependable staff member seated next to me, her face lighting up with a warm smile.
“I’m so glad you made it!” she said cheerfully.
In that moment, her words filled me with warmth, and the tension that had gripped me quietly melted away.
As the scenery outside the train window blurred by, I wrote about the experience to my mentor, who replied almost immediately:
“Your subconscious is beginning to align with a new direction. Everything seems to be moving in sync with the timing of the universe.”
Sitting on the train, watching the city fade into the distance, I whispered to myself,
“Let’s go with the flow and step into this new world.”
10.7 The Challenge of Being 1 in 1,500
One morning, as I opened an email from my mentor as usual, my face suddenly went pale.
“Stepping into independence means pushing beyond your comfort zone, so naturally, it feels nerve-wracking. Everything depends on you. Your income will rise or fall entirely based on your actions. Starting a business is exciting, but many people jump in without experience. Aim to be 1 in 1,500. Out of 1,500 entrepreneurs, only one succeeds. It’s simple: maintain a comfortable humility and a comfortable confidence. That’s the key. Best of luck.”
The phrase “1 in 1,500” jumped out at me. The cold finality of that number pierced my chest, and my hands began to tremble. The reality of “only one” weighed heavily on me, and doubts began to flood my mind. Could I truly be that one? For a fleeting moment, I questioned, “Why would my mentor encourage me only to present such daunting odds?” But then, I realized something important: no one had made this decision for me. The choice to pursue independence had been entirely my own.
“Can I really do this?”
Even as that question lingered, a faint light of hope flickered within me. It was the confidence born of past achievements, like the time I earned first place in the “Fashion” category of a popular blog ranking.
At that moment, I realized: I had already been “1 in 1,500.” That experience reminded me that I had what it takes to step forward into my next challenge.
10.8 The Day I Debuted at Roppongi Hills
On New Year’s Day in 2006, I picked up my favorite pen and gently wrote a dream into my planner: “Debut at Roppongi Hills.”
At the time, I had no idea how or when this dream would come true. I simply planted the seed, quietly sending my intention into the future.
And just four months later, that dream became reality.
Thanks to an introduction by Mr. S, an internet radio host, I was given the opportunity to host a collaborative seminar on the 49th floor of the Roppongi Hills Academy.
The venue was extraordinary, offering a panoramic view of Tokyo’s skyline. As I stood there, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. I still couldn’t shake the feeling of being out of place. But wearing the store’s new lightweight gray jacket, I resolved to carry myself with confidence, determined to live up to the occasion.
My collaborator was Mr. S, renowned for his “Dream-Realizing Planner.” Sharing such a prestigious stage felt surreal, like a dream within a dream.
The seminar unfolded naturally in a conversational format. As I listened to Mr. S explain his planner method — placing photos of successful people in your planner, writing down your dreams, and making opening your planner an exciting experience — I felt a strange sense of familiarity. His methods mirrored much of what I had already been doing in my own way.
Reflecting on that day, I realized that the act of writing down my dreams, believing in them, and taking small but steady steps had carried me to this remarkable moment. From here, I knew, even greater dreams awaited me.
The one noticeable difference between Mr. S’s planner and my own was its sheer size. His planner was so thick that it made a solid thud when placed on the table, resembling an encyclopedia in both weight and appearance. As he flipped through its pages, he revealed photos of handshakes with famous speakers and snapshots with renowned personalities. Amused, I asked him about one particularly striking photo, only for him to confess, with a laugh, that it was actually digitally altered. The room filled with laughter, and I couldn’t help but admire the level of detail he put into crafting his vision of success, even down to “shaping” the appearance of his reality.
This reminded me of a moment from two years prior, in 2004. A friend, Mr. N, had laminated a photo of me and handed it to me, saying, “Write ‘I’m lucky!’ on this!” It was an exercise in “becoming” a successful person, even if only in imagination at first. At the time, I wasn’t truly successful, but I remember feeling something shift within me as I acted as though I already was.
Fast forward to the seminar at Roppongi Hills. In just two short years, I found myself standing on that stage, not pretending, but living the reality I had once only envisioned. It was an exhilarating realization that the seeds I had planted — both in my planner and in my heart — had grown into something extraordinary.
To the seminar, I had brought along two of my original bags. Seizing the opportunity, I introduced them during the session. To my surprise and delight, they sold out on the spot. Two years ago, nothing seemed to go right; I faced setback after setback. Yet now, it felt as though everything was falling into place, as though I was riding a wave of momentum.
The dreams I had written in my planner were undeniably coming true. Sitting beside Mr. S, reflecting on my journey, I felt as though I were reliving each step of that miraculous process. And as I looked forward, I realized that the next major milestone — my full independence — was just one month away.
What had once seemed like a distant, almost impossible goal now felt tangible, within reach. With each step I had taken, guided by the flow of time and space, I was moving closer to the life I had always dreamed of.