I'm glad I took the plunge and reached out! Courageous actions change your future self
Connect with people as your “authentic self” and make work fun!
Through the dialogue session “Machiko’s Room”
Supporting people who live life on their own terms
I’m Machiko, a dialogue director🌻
🌻Everyone has moments where they hesitate to find the courage
Wondering whether to find the courage to take action... or maybe deciding against it after all... everyone has moments like that, right?
I don’t want to fail...
I don’t want to be rejected...
I’m afraid of change...
It’s precisely at those times that giving yourself the green light to take the plunge opens up new paths...! This is an episode about that realization✨
🌻What a phone call after four and a half years taught me
It all started with a single phone call.
I received a call from someone I had interviewed in the past, for the first time in four and a half years.
Person A: “I’m ▲▲, who you introduced on the program ◆◆ before! I’m sorry for calling so suddenly! Thank you so much for everything back then!”
Oh, I remembered how full of energy they were back during the interview four years ago, and it brought back fond memories.
Machiko: “▲▲-san, it’s been a while! Thank you so much for being so kind to me back then! What brings you to call today?”
Person A: “Actually... due to some circumstances involving ◇◇, I’ve built a new facility. I want more people to know about it, but I wasn’t sure what to do... That’s when I remembered you, Machiko-san. So I decided to reach out.
If... if it’s not too much trouble, I was wondering if you might come to cover it... I’m sorry for making such a pushy request so suddenly after not being in touch for so long💦”
In any case, they spoke with great hesitation and seemed very apologetic. Asking someone to “come and cover this” is probably something that takes a lot of “courage” to do yourself.
But I was truly happy!
“I remembered you, Machiko-san”
The fact that they remembered me even after all these years, and that they thought of me for even a second when they were in trouble. The fact that they reached out to me.
After asking A-san about the features of the new facility, the reason for wanting it featured, and their future prospects, I felt the “story” and the “passion” behind it, so I made up my mind that I definitely wanted to cover it!
That said, I am a freelancer who receives interview assignments from broadcasting stations. I cannot decide on program content (interview topics) on my own.
Machiko: “I definitely want to cover this! However, I need to consult with the station’s producer and get back to you, so please wait a moment.”
Person A: “I’m grateful enough that you’re even willing to consult with them...! Thank you so much!”
I consulted with the producer immediately.
No,to be precise, I “presented the story and the appealing points so that the interview would be approved.”Thankfully, the interview was approved, and when I called to give them the answer,
Person A: “Really!? I’m so happy, thank you! I thought that maybe you would at least listen to my story, Machiko-san, but I never imagined you would actually come to cover it... I can’t thank you enough!”
Machiko: “I’ll put my heart into the interview so that you’ll be glad you asked me to cover it, so I look forward to working with you!”
This time,why did I want to say yes to A-san’s interview request?
There are two reasons.
🌻Why did I think, “I definitely want to cover this!”?
1. Because their conduct during the previous interview was excellent
I have conducted many interviews, so I have met many people accordingly. But if I were to receive similar interview requests from all of them... it goes without saying that I wouldn’t accept them all.
So, what criteria and what kind of mindset do I use when looking at things?
When I interviewed Person A four years ago, they worked so hard to make sure the shoot went well, paid attention to every little detail to meet our requests, and even prepared drinks for the staff after the shoot was over...
I really felt their spirit of, 'I'm genuinely happy to be featured, and I'll do whatever I can!'
Not passive, but active.
Taking it on as a 'personal matter'.
For us, that makes things incredibly easy, is deeply appreciated, and leaves a lasting impression. A good impression doesn't change even after many years (and the reverse is also true).
For someone like that, I genuinely think, 'I want to help them again!'
2. Because Person A gathered the courage to reach out to 'me'
Whether in work or daily life, connections with people are very important.
If Person A was going to reach out to ask for an interview, I think there were other options besides me, such as newspaper reporters or influencers who had been interviewed before.
Butthey remembered me and contacted me.
It had been four and a half years...
I wasn't sure if they would remember me...
I might get turned down...
Even with that anxiety and worry, the fact that they took the plunge and gathered the courage to reach out made me very happy, and I felt truly grateful that they thought, 'I thought Machiko-san might listen to me...'
That is how connections are made once again.
🌻 Courageous actions change the future
Courageous actions create connections with people and change the future.
That was the case with Person A this time as well.
Without that first step of 'reaching out,' there would have been no reunion between me and Person A, nor the new connections that spread from there.
Just a little bit of courage leads to an unexpected future.
I believe that very first step is the power that moves you forward.✨
🌻 What is a 'step of courage' for you?
What is something you 'really want to do' or 'want to change' right now?
・I lack self-confidence and always go along with others
・I find my work rewarding, but there are times when I think, 'I might be at my limit'
・I sometimes feel down when I see my peers or colleagues succeeding
・I am struggling with my relationship with a difficult boss or junior colleague
・I don't know what kind of work I want to do, and I'm conflicted about whether I should change jobs
If you would like to talk to someone about those 'worries' or 'thoughts' and organize your feelings, why not try putting them into words together with me in an [Individual Consultation Session]?
You can experience it for free for 10 days after registering on my official LINE.🌻
I am rooting for you with all my heart so that you can take that courageous step forward.✨
Thank you for reading until the end!
Today, too, cherish what you 'love'!
See you again.✨
Dialogue Director Machiko🌻
For me, a courageous action was...
Posting on social media & showing my face...!!