Facing Fear and Seeking Growth

 Some of you may already know this, but I make it a habit to read 10 to 15 books every month.

It’s not so much a hobby—rather, I feel uneasy if I’m not constantly exposing myself to new ideas, disciplining my mind, and learning with hunger and intention.

It might sound unpleasant to some, but in reality, having a strict boss or senior colleague who constantly tells you, “This is not good enough!” is a privilege.
I don’t have that in my current position. No one tells me what’s right or wrong. And even if someone did, their “right” isn’t necessarily my right.
So, I’m always on a journey to find my own answers—that’s what life is for me.

In a book I read last week, there was a line that really struck me:
“Success lies on the opposite side of fear.”
It doesn’t just refer to financial success. True success—real achievement—exists only beyond what we fear the most.



This reminds me of what we often say at Hattori Way: “Step outside your comfort zone!”
But this quote is even sharper and more direct.

So let me ask you: Are you facing your fears?

Honestly, I’m not doing it as much as I should. Life can still move forward, even if you stay in your comfort zone.
But to go from good to great, and from great to excellent, you have to overcome fear.

My greatest fear? The collapse of my company.
As long as I avoid reckless spending or risky investments, I’ve always believed I could stay far from that risk.
But a few years ago, I began to ask myself—can we really thrive just by doing “well enough”?
Can we keep raising everyone’s salaries, and continue to create new businesses if we only stay on the same path?

Given the current state of Japan and where things are heading, I realized the answer is no.
Our group will soon celebrate its 140th anniversary.
It’s not just the milestone itself—but that long legacy also gives me the strength to face my fears and take bold risks.


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