Get Out of Our Comfort Zone

 Since the new year began, many projects have started at once. There are big waves of change in every part of our group—so strong that even I can’t control them. This is the biggest change I have seen since I became president.

I believe the main reason for this wave is simple: people have found the courage to leave their comfort zones.


For me, the turning point was in 2020, the year COVID hit. Up until then, we had been working hard, but we were mostly playing it safe. We thought that as long as we avoided big mistakes, we could keep going. However, by avoiding big failures, we also missed out on great successes.

When COVID happened, I took the time to clearly imagine my own dreams and the future goals for the company. From then on, I decided to always try new challenges that bring me closer to those dreams, and to avoid things that don’t.

Of course, investing in the future and taking on new challenges isn’t always easy. It might look strange to others, and there are investments that cause fear, projects that make us worry, and decisions that meet opposition. There will be failures and painful setbacks, but if we act in pursuit of our goals, every step will lead us into the future.

The important thing is not to succeed right now, but to make our dreams and goals come true. To do that, the person in charge must be ready to face criticism head-on.

Our vision is twofold: first, to nurture an entrepreneurial spirit in Japan; and second, to make Japan a truly global society rich in diversity. To start, we want HG to grow into a company full of entrepreneurial spirit and global diversity.

To achieve this, we must leave our comfort zones and keep challenging ourselves. Small obstacles could be overcome by staying as we are, but to reach our big dreams, we must face much bigger challenges.

What is your comfort zone? It isn’t just the big ones—there are many small comfort zones too. If you don’t raise your hand, you won’t get a chance to speak in class. If you don’t volunteer for projects or share your ideas, big opportunities won’t come your way. If you don’t have the courage to confess, relationships won’t deepen. And if you don’t sincerely apologize for your mistakes, others won’t understand you.

We often stay in our comfort zones, which can help us feel secure. However, if we never leave them, our lives will be like a hamster running in a wheel, with no true joy, change, or achievement.

By stepping out of your small comfort zones every day, you will eventually take a big step forward. What matters is to collect small successes when you leave your comfort zone before a big opportunity arrives. So, every day, every week, and every month, decide to step out of your comfort zone. I believe that these challenges will take you to even greater heights.


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