The Path to Independence (Grit & Glamor Epi.20)
Before climbing the next mountain, one must climb down the mountain one has claimed. They say that climbing down a mountain is harder than climbing up.
Chapter 8: The Path to Independence
8.1 Even that’s all meant to be.
In March, I met Ms. T, a female entrepreneur two years older than me, at a coaching orientation. Our shared topic of interest was “having an office in Shibuya,” which led us to occasionally have meals together. Ms. T, as a vice president, was involved in training and supporting those aiming to become presidents. She mentioned that she preferred working behind the scenes rather than being in the spotlight.
One day, Ms. T asked me, “Where do you stand?” Her question coincided with my recent reflections on my “destiny,” and I was surprised by the overlap. When I shared this with her, she suggested, “Why not start your own blog?” She also added, “I’d love to know the secret behind how you’ve achieved your results and managed everything so far.”
At that moment, I accidentally spilled some water on the table, but Ms. T casually said, “Even that’s all meant to be.”
That night, I decided to start my own personal blog, separate from the store manager's blog. I resolved to put into words the business skills I had developed during my time as a salaried employee and the results of applying them.
From August 11, 2005, I began updating two blogs every day, and 19 years later, that habit continues.
While the Shibuya store manager blog primarily recorded experiences with the store, customers, and my learnings as a manager, my new blog had a completely different concept — it was a place to organize and share my skills and experiences as a professional. My experience in the restaurant industry helped in-store management and human resource development, while my time as an apparel store manager contributed to boosting sales. Moreover, I could write about a wide range of topics related to business skills, including my studies in coaching.
8.2 Have you realized it?
Through blogging, my interactions expanded beyond the world of salaried employees, and as I exchanged emails with my mentor daily, I began to realize that “the flow of time is different for entrepreneurs and employees.” When my mentor told me, “Time moves four times faster for entrepreneurs than for employees,” I became dissatisfied with my current situation and developed a strong desire to pursue the path of entrepreneurship. My awareness of becoming independent steadily grew.
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August 25: I’ve Realized!!!
To Mr. Kanai,
Today, I had a meeting with the board of directors about the future evaluation methods, and I realized something… I feel like working frantically to reach the next salary stage might be a bit of a waste of effort. Even though I sold 50 million yen in July, I somehow get the feeling that my salary won’t increase. I’ve achieved an increase of 10 million yen (monthly) compared to the previous year multiple times, but still…
In that case, for example, I started taking coaching classes by chance, and I feel like making 50,000 yen a month as a side job as a coach would be more enjoyable. After all, instead of working hard for six months to raise my salary stage, I can already generate extra income by doing what I can do now.
Today, I strongly feel the reality of being a salaried employee… When I met with you the other day, I had a visceral reaction to the discussion about the differences between entrepreneurs and employees, and today’s meeting with the directors made me realize that logically. It’s the nature of being a salaried worker.
Thank you, as always!
Hitomi Horiguchi
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August 25
Dear Ms. Horiguchi,
You’ve realized it, have you?
This is all about timing. Entrepreneurs take on risks but earn well in return. However, it’s only suitable for those prepared to take full responsibility for everything. I think you are suited for entrepreneurship. It’s worth considering, but you’ll also need to observe the right timing. Those who are fortunate naturally ride their own biorhythm. I’m sure you’re on that path as well. Trust your intuition.
Yutaka Kanai
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At last, the question “What would happen if I quit my job?” began to surface in my mind. I felt that in order to realize my dreams sooner, it was important to consider what actions I should take right now and move immediately. The key wasn’t “someday,” but “now.”
With that in mind, while looking toward independence, I began to delegate more authority to my staff so that they could gain the experience of increasing sales through their own efforts. By focusing on their growth, I hoped to empower them while lightening my own load. I believed that the extra time I would gain could then be used to tackle new ventures. The decision to take concrete steps toward creating time for side projects grew stronger within me.
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August 29: Fan Letter
To Mr. Kanai,
You truly make learning a daily habit. It’s amazing.
Up until now, I had devoted 100% of my energy to the company’s work, but from now on, I plan to gradually increase the ratio of energy I allocate toward independence. To be honest, I hadn’t thought about it much before…
Tomorrow, a girl from Nagasaki who wrote me a letter after reading my blog is coming to meet me. It seems like more and more people are being influenced by my blog since I started it. I think through this, I’ll be able to discover what makes me truly unique. Meeting this girl will also be a good opportunity to evaluate myself objectively.
Thank you, as always!
Hitomi Horiguchi
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August 30
Dear Ms. Horiguchi,
It’s truly remarkable that both your seminars and blog are able to influence others.
The world is changing rapidly right now, but many people fail to notice the changes. Most are aware but are too scared to acknowledge them.
There’s probably a knack to everything. I’m currently trying to overcome the challenge of writing, but once I find my own knack for it, I think it will become easier. The same applies to running a business. Maybe we overthink things.
Yutaka Kanai
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August 31
Dear Ms. Horiguchi,
I hope to one day enjoy writing as much as you do. I’m always impressed with your ability to write so well.
I’ve been receiving coaching for about three years, and part of that training has involved learning to write as briefly as possible. From now on, I’ll need to focus on writing longer texts.
By the way, your life seems to be accelerating about eight times faster than normal! That’s a good thing. You’re probably starting to feel your own changes. That’s what I wanted to convey. Most people don’t realize they’re changing. Those who do, accelerate. This is an essential concept in accelerated learning, like PhotoReading. I’m excited to see what 2010 brings.
Yutaka Kanai
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August 31: In Acceleration Mode
Mr. Kanai!!!
August is already over! Time flies. I’ll visit the salon again after mid-September.
Thank you so much! I’m thrilled you said I can write well! There’s really no substitute for writing every day. Today, I spent an hour and a half writing two blogs, then came home afterward.
Indeed, every day seems to pass at about eight times (where did you get that number?) the normal speed…
Until recently, I would reflect every two months and feel the growth and changes in myself, but lately, I can feel it happening in just a day. Your influence is huge!!!
Thank you, as always♪
Hitomi Horiguchi
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Thus, as I reached the moment when my sales hit 50 million yen, my mindset naturally began to shift dramatically toward independence. More than the sense of accomplishment from reaching the goal, my heart was increasingly filled with excitement about the new challenges that lay ahead. What kind of future would this shift in consciousness bring? Amid the mix of anticipation and uncertainty, there was one thing I was sure of — now is the time to take action for the future.