The Real Waste: When We Forget to Think

 I have always had a frugal nature.

Even when I buy nice clothes that suit me well, I tend to save them for special occasions. But before I realize it, my body shape changes and they no longer fit.
There are also many things I love so much that I hesitate to use them, and eventually, they end up forgotten and unusable.

The true value of an item lies in using it.
(Of course, there are some things whose value comes simply from owning them.)
Still, not using what I have is a very wasteful way to treat things.

Ideally, I should enjoy my favorite items, wear them again and again, and not mind if they get worn out.
However, my personality makes it difficult for me to do that.
That's why I tend to prefer simple, practical things over expensive, delicate ones.


But what about people?

When it comes to objects, wasting their value is unfortunate — but when it comes to people, the consequences are much more serious.
Running a business without bringing out each person's value is meaningless.
In fact, it can even harm their lives.

An ancient philosopher once said, "Man is a thinking reed."
If we stop thinking, we become no different from a reed — losing what makes us truly valuable.

In modern industries, especially during the rise of mass production, systems were designed to maximize efficiency by making people stop thinking and focus only on repetitive tasks.
People often became parts of machines rather than using machines.

This allowed companies to lower costs and sell products worldwide, achieving great economic growth.
However, I question whether this system has been truly good for people.

After all, the ability to think is a great source of human value.
I don't believe it's healthy for only managers to think while everyone else simply follows orders.

Each person has the power to think.
Each person has ideas.
And when these ideas are shared, discussed, and shaped into decisions as a team, something truly valuable is created.

Even after a decision is made, when new ideas or realizations arise, they should be openly shared.
This cycle should happen in every job, in every department.

That, I believe, is what it means to truly bring out and respect human value.

Of course, using the value of objects is important.
But even more importantly, we must cherish and nurture the value within ourselves, our families, our colleagues, our customers, and everyone around us.

Having that mindset is crucial.
Let’s not just protect value — let’s bring it to life.

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