Chapter 13: Habits are Stronger than Talent

I used to be the type of person who couldn't stick with anything for long.

I love starting new things.

Even when I started something thinking, 'This time I'll keep it up,' my interest would shift to something else after a while.

Because of that, I thought I lacked the 'power to continue.'

However, now that I am in my 50s, looking back, I realize something surprising.

Walking, reading, cleaning, investing.

Before I knew it, several things had remained a part of my life.

Even I, who used to be bad at continuing things, was able to acquire habits.

The first habit was walking

The first thing that became a habit was walking.

The reason I started was for my health.

I often traveled by car for work, and I was concerned about my lack of exercise.

However, as I continued, I noticed another effect.

Even after I finished work and returned home, my mind was still at work.

'How did that go?'

'What should I start with tomorrow?'

I would think about things like that while heading home.

So, I started walking for about 30 minutes right after getting home.

While walking, I naturally began to organize the day's work.

I would switch gears by thinking, 'There's no point in worrying about this now,' decide the order of tomorrow's tasks, and organize what I needed to confirm in my head.

By the time I finish my walk, my mind feels clear.

Walking had become the switch that separates my work life from my private life.

Nowadays, I mainly walk for about an hour on weekends and holidays, but I have been doing this for nearly 10 years now.

It also serves as a visit to my local shrine.

And above all, the biggest change was in my health.

The number of times I go to the hospital has decreased, and I take less medication.

Of course, I cannot say that everything is thanks to walking.

Even so, I definitely feel that the habit I have continued for a long time has become the foundation for regaining my health.

Reading changed how I deal with money

Reading also became a habit before I knew it.

At first, it was because I wanted to learn about investing.

Reading the book "3000 Yen Investment Life" was what triggered me to start investing.

Actually, in my case, there is another reason why reading continued.

My wife and eldest daughter love to read, and they recommend books to me, saying, "You should read this book."

I don't have to look for everything myself; I can read the books they choose for me.

This was quite helpful.

And one book I read because my daughter recommended it was "DIE WITH ZERO".

After reading this book, my way of thinking about money changed.

Until then, I had a stronger belief that "money is something you should save as much as possible."

However, through this book,

"It is also important to spend money on experiences that can only be had now."

I began to think that way.

Since then, I have started spending more money on travel than before.

I have gone on pilgrimages to the 88 temples of Shikoku and visited Mount Koya with my whole family.

We have also started eating out as a family more often on weekends.

It is because I realized that instead of just saving, spending money to buy time and experiences with my family is also an investment that enriches life. and I realized that.

Reading a single book can change your actual behavior.

Reading is an interesting thing, isn't it?

When I continued cleaning, even my way of thinking changed.

From my late 40s, cleaning the entrance and the toilet also became a habit.

The trigger was a bit unexpected.

The entrance is related to the luck of the house.

Cleaning the toilet leads to financial luck.

Seeing books and YouTube videos about that was the beginning.

At first, I felt like, "Is that really true?"

Actually, as I continued cleaning, I felt that the air in the house became a little better.

I also feel like unpleasant things have decreased.

Of course, I cannot explain this scientifically.

However, there was one interesting change.

As I was cleaning, the number of things I owned began to decrease.

"I need this."

"I won't use this anymore."

In that way, I naturally began to separate what was necessary from what was not.

And that sense of discernment is not limited to just physical objects.

Even in my daily life,

"Is this really necessary?"

I began to think that way.

The habit of cleaning not only kept my house tidy, but it also organized my way of thinking.

I find this a bit mysterious even myself.

Starting something new is also a habit.

Thinking about it this far, perhaps I haven't become someone who is "good at continuing things."

Even now, I want to start new things.

Travel is one example, and investing is another.

Recently, I have been using AI and writing on note.

But now, I don't think that is a bad thing.

First, give it a try.

If it's interesting, continue it.

If it feels wrong, stop.

If it doesn't go well, adjust your direction.

I think repeating this is also a kind of habit.

You don't need to choose the right answer from the start. You can adjust your direction as you go.

Perhaps life is like a compass, too.

It doesn't need to point in the perfect direction from the beginning.

You can move forward a little, and if it's wrong, you can just change your direction.

A habit I wish I had started sooner

Now that I am in my 50s, there is something I wish I had started sooner.

That is investing.

I have now also had my daughters start NISA accounts.

I started investing in my 40s.

But to be honest, I wish I had known about it in my 20s.

However, when I was in my 20s, I didn't even know what investing was.

You cannot start what you do not know.

That is why I believe that instead of regretting the past, you should just start the moment you find out about it.

If you think, 'I wish I had known sooner,' then today, the day you found out, is your starting point.

This is not just about investing.

It is the same for health, reading, traveling, or taking on new challenges.

I think everyone has things they wish they had done sooner.

But you can start today.

Start just one thing today

When we talk about building a habit, it feels like we have to work hard every single day.

But you don't have to overthink it.

I think starting with just one thing is fine.

Try walking for 10 minutes.

Try reading 5 pages of a book.

Try cleaning the entryway.

Try looking into small monthly savings plans.

Try deciding on one place you want to go with your family.

And if you can, try to keep it up.

If you can't keep it up, try changing your approach.

If it still doesn't suit you, just try something else.

The important thing is not to continue perfectly.

It is to repeat the cycle of 'try it, keep it up, and adjust it.'

I used to be bad at consistency.

Even so, I have been walking for nearly 10 years, reading, cleaning, and investing.

Each of those things has gradually changed my health, how I handle money, my time with family, and even my way of thinking.

That is why I think this now:

Habits are stronger than talent.

You don't continue because you have talent; rather, as you continue, that habit becomes your strength.

If there is something you want to start now, you don't need to set a big goal.

Walk for just 10 minutes today.

Read just 5 pages today.

Look up one thing you've been curious about today.

Such a small step is enough.

When you look back 10 years from now,

"I'm glad I started that day"

you might think.

🧭🐷 A word from Compass Pig

"You don't have to try to change in a big way. If you keep taking small steps, you might find that the direction of your life has changed before you know it.🐷"

See you next time.

May the compass of your life point forward, even if just a little.🧭🐷