Reflecting on Completing the 4th Term of Effelife Lessons

Hello! I am Chizuru Taniguchi (Tanisen), Representative of Snack Lemonade Co., Ltd.

The "4th Term of Effelife Lessons," which started in October, has successfully concluded its six-month program this March. To all the members who completed the journey, thank you so much for your hard work!

As is the case every term, I feel overwhelmed with emotion when we reach the final session. Seeing up close how much the students have changed over these six months and how they have broken out of their shells to take action is the greatest joy for me.

Today, while looking back on this 4th term, I would like to talk about what Effelife aims for and the heartwarming changes that happen there.

Are you tired of working backward from a goal?

"I can't find what I want to do," "I can't take the first step"—there are many people who struggle with these concerns.

In traditional business and life planning, the mindset of "deciding on a goal and working backward from there" (causation) has been considered the norm. However, in today's uncertain world with no clear answers, many people find themselves exhausted by that way of thinking.

The "Effectuation" we practice is the exact opposite approach. Instead of predicting the future, we start with "what I have right now (bird in hand)" and take small steps within a range where it is okay to lose (affordable loss).start with "what I have right now (bird in hand)" and take small steps within a range where it is okay to lose (affordable loss).

"Effelife Lessons" is a six-month practical community not just for learning as knowledge, but for incorporating this way of thinking into your daily life (life) and making it a habit.

The changes in friends who jumped to the other side of the wall

The members of the 4th term also took wonderful steps in their daily lives and work by utilizing their own "birds in hand."

For example, T-san, who was involved in promoting DX at their company while also engaging in various activities such as coaching and regional revitalization. The activities that initially seemed separate began to connect over these six months under the single theme of "creating a space where people can easily take a step forward." I was also moved by the story of how they planned their first paid "Paella Workshop" and reaffirmed, "Ah, I'm glad I did it," after seeing the smiles of the participants. By the way, I participated too. It was great.

Then there is M-san, who said, "I waste less of my heart." Instead of envying the good points of others, she said she has become able to change her perspective to, "Can I use this person's strengths somewhere?" or "Wouldn't something more interesting be born if I quilted (connected) them with someone else?" Her leap, or rather her expansion, was truly remarkable, so I learned more from her.

M-chan, who has been participating for a long time, told me, "I was watching the Facebook interactions and wondered, 'What are they doing on the other side of the wall?' so I jumped in." By gathering a little courage and stepping into a new world, the scenery definitely changes. It seems she challenged herself to change jobs this term and succeeded. That's amazing!

Creating the future together through action, not prediction

Whenever I listen to the final presentations, I truly think that Effectuation is not a puzzle, but a "quilt."

Each person brings their own unique, perhaps misshapen, scraps (resources and strengths). By bringing them together and sewing them while cooperating with each other, a warm and large quilt that one could never have imagined is completed.

Since they show me that in just half a year, I also feel, how should I put it, truly happy.

I started these lessons while wondering if someone like me should be holding a course, but when I listen to the presentations, I can think, "I'm glad I did it."

We have started accepting applications for the next term of Effelife Lessons! I was a bit tired in April, so I will take a good rest, and we will start the "5th Term" in May. It is a 6-session limited course. If you are thinking, "I'm a little curious" or "I want to peek at the other side of the wall," please come and visit Snack Lemonade!