Break Down the 'Cage of Self'!
It's Takuto!
Today, I'm taking this opportunity to output what I've learned from "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," which I'm currently reading!
Last time, I wrote an article about how the formation of 'Primary Greatness (Character)' is more important than anything else.
This time, I'll be writing about "Inside-Out" and "Paradigm Shift", which are important concepts for character formation!
I'll be writing this while incorporating my own experiences. Please read until the end if you'd like!
What is "Inside-Out"?
I first heard this term in 2011 when I was studying abroad in New Zealand. When I bought a pair of jeans, the blonde lady at the shop said,
"You have to turn them inside-out when you wash them!"
she said.
When I asked,
"What does inside-out mean?"
she replied,
"This is inside-out!" while turning the jeans I bought inside out.
...
Time passed, and in 2026, I encountered this phrase again through "The 7 Habits."
Inside-Out means
from the inside to the outside
an approach that starts from within one's own self
the idea that instead of seeking causes in your surroundings, your surroundings improve as a result of you changing yourself
it says.
It means to stop blaming others and
"let's turn our focus toward ourselves first!"
.
Paradigm
To begin from within, you must first start by understanding your own inner self, your way of thinking, and your perspective.
A 'perspective' is called a 'paradigm'.
Think of it like the lenses of glasses. Just as the scenery looks red if the lenses are red, and blue if they are blue...
The book states, 'We do not see the world as it is, but as we are!' as it is described in the book.
Understanding your own paradigm.
Understanding the extent of the influence it has.
Through these two things, you can take responsibility for your own paradigm and stand at the starting line to understand the paradigms of others around you! In other words, it is the first step in building human relationships!
Paradigm Shift
As mentioned in the previous article, if you desire small daily changes or one-off relationship building, focusing appropriately on your 'actions' and 'attitudes' can sometimes work.
However, if you want to build dramatic, fundamental changes or long-lasting, effective human relationships, you need a change in your 'paradigm,' which is the source of your actions and attitudes. This is called a 'paradigm shift'.
Patterns of paradigm shifts include:
Changes that occur due to important life phases (major crises, taking on new roles, changing priorities, etc.), just as conventional wisdom was dramatically overturned from the geocentric theory to the heliocentric theory.
as well as,
changes that are brought about slowly, intentionally, and gradually.
or,
changes where a new paradigm is 'born' by investing in the improvement and formation of character.
and so on.
In any case, it is difficult to separate 'paradigm' from 'character,' and there are limitations, for better or worse, on change.
I will share a story about when I experienced a paradigm shift.
The Grandpa on the Moped
This is a story from when I had just started working part-time at a gas station.
I was refueling a customer's car when an old man on a moped called out from the road,
'Where is Toyotsu-cho!?'
He asked me out of the blue. I wasn't even serving him, I was in the middle of work, and I couldn't step away. Haha
At the time, I didn't know where that was, so I said, 'Please wait a moment!' and continued refueling.
Then the old man said,
'If you don't even know the way, you should just quit being a gas station attendant!!!!!!'
and rode off.
Regarding that dramatic event, I reflexively thought,
'What the hell is wrong with that old guy! So annoying! Look it up yourself, seriously!'
but it was right after that.
'No... maybe someone important to him is dying and about to take their last breath, and he rode here on his moped from somewhere far away, wandering around looking for the hospital!'
A paradigm shift happened within me on its own. Haha
Then the irritation vanished, and I felt very ashamed of myself for getting angry.
This was surely heavily influenced by the personality I had formed throughout my life up to that point.
Since I listened to Mr. Children constantly during my youth,
'Everyone is holding onto something important'
'Everyone has their own values, happiness, and way of life'
'I've been told to try and think from other people's perspectives, but'
'The heart is hard to understand beyond imagination'
'A shooting star disappears, it disappears in the blink of an eye'
'If the same chance comes again'
'I will make a wish for someone other than myself'
cf. Mr. Children 'Kuchi ga Subette'
I think these lyrics triggered my paradigm shift. This is a pattern where my experience and formed personality worked positively.
Conversely, that old man's paradigm that 'it's natural for a gas station attendant to know the way' will likely never change for eternity unless some truly shocking event occurs... This is a pattern where even if you try to change your paradigm, it is restricted by your deeply ingrained way of thinking.
In this way, the 'ease of occurrence' (if I may call it that) of a paradigm shift changes depending on the foundation of your current 'personality,' so if you desire change, it may sometimes be accompanied by pain or suffering.
A gang of thieves has the values of a gang of thieves
What 'The 7 Habits' advocates is shifting to a'principle-centered paradigm'. Just as water flows downward, the earth revolves around the sun, and you cannot reap unless you sow...
'In human society, there are also timeless, indisputable, universal, and absolute laws.'
It says.
It states that there is a principle that exists within every human being, one that has been proven time and time again throughout history. Examples include,
integrity and honesty
human dignity
service and contribution
virtue
and so on.
It says that it is not about attitudes, methods, or individual values, but that the more you align your paradigm with these principles, the more immeasurable the impact on the 'effectiveness' of individuals and human relationships will be.
In this context, it is written that'a gang of robbers has its own set of values,'and
'Oh, I might be a gang of robbers.'
I feltlike I had been hit over the head with something,at that thought.
'Let's first take a look at whether my own values are truly correct. Let's properly polish my own lens again.'
I thought, so rather than digging deep into core values, I decided that 'character building comes first!'
Break Down the 'Cage of Being Yourself'!
Saying 'Live like yourself!' sounds very attractive.
Leveraging your individuality, following your own values, and living as you please is the trend touted in this day and age, isn't it?
People get hurt again because they wish to live with a heart that is just as it is
If you are struggling inside a cage of being yourself that you built without realizing it
I am the same way
cf. Mr.Children 'Namonaki Uta'
Everyone is like that
I am like that too
That old man on the moped is surely like that too.
I think that when you go 'inside-out' from inside the cage to the outside, you will be able to see a new world again!
By the way, I asked Gemini to create the image. lol
Thank you for reading to the end this time as well!
'Searching for the self that should be even more wonderful'
Takuto Fujiwara