The Latest Marketing Theory for Starting from Zero Leads: If There Are No Fish, I’ll Build the Whole Forest.
People who are good at business and marketing fish where the fish are, don't they?
In other words, they can move by targeting places where "potential customers" are gathered.
That is extremely efficient, and it is easy to get results.
Some people in business and marketing know exactly where the fish are. They cast their lines where potential customers gather. It’s efficient, and it works.
But I can't do that.
I understand the logic, and I've heard it countless times in books and courses, but when I actually try to do it, I can't bring myself to move.
But I can’t do that. I understand the theory, but when I try, my body just doesn’t move.
I don't know how, I can't do it, and I don't have the motivation.
I don’t know how, I can’t, and I don’t even feel like doing it.
I understand when people tell me, "That's no good!"
In fact, I've failed and cried many times because of that.
I’ve been told, “That’s no good!” And yes, I’ve failed and cried many times because of it.
But—I have my own way of doing things.
But… I have my own way.
If there are no fish, you should just build the pond yourself.
If there are no fish, make a pond
The forest at Meiji Jingu is now a very rich natural environment, but it wasn't there from the beginning.
Over 100 years ago, that place was just empty land with nothing on it.
The forest of Meiji Jingu Shrine wasn’t always there. Over 100 years ago, it was just empty land.
People planted saplings by hand, prepared the soil, and nurtured it little by little over time.
Even though it was an artificial forest at first, now insects, birds, and various plants and animals live there naturally.
People planted trees, prepared the soil, and nurtured it over time. At first, it was artificial. Now, it’s full of life—birds, insects, plants, animals.
People also gather there as a healing forest in the middle of the city.
And people come, seeking peace in the middle of the city.
When I learned this, I thought, "Ah, this is what I want to do."
When I learned this, I thought: This is exactly what I want to do.
Marketing by creating a forest
Marketing by creating a forest
What I do is not sailing into a sea full of fish. It is building a whole pond where there are none.
I am building a whole pond where there are no fish.
I’m not sailing into a sea full of fish. I’m building a whole pond where there are none.
At first, there is no one there, and no insects or birds come.
But I create a forest where I can feel comfortable.
Fun, safe, and a little interesting.
I nurture such a space little by little.
In the beginning, no one is there—no birds, no insects. But I make a forest where I feel at ease. Fun, safe, a little curious. And I slowly nurture that space over time.
Then, before you know it, the wind carries things to you.
Just like a bird carrying a seed, the people who need to be there just wander in.
And those people bring others along.
Then the wind brings seeds. A bird comes, carrying something in its beak. Someone new arrives, and brings another.
That is how the forest naturally becomes lively.
Little by little, the forest becomes alive.
The reason I don't fear isolation
The strength of not fearing isolation
Perhaps many people are afraid of isolation.
That is why they try to operate in places where people have already gathered.
Most people fear being alone. So they go where people already gather.
But I am used to isolation.
Even if I am standing alone in an empty space, my mental state is not that worn down.
I’m used to solitude. I can stand in an empty space without my spirit breaking.
Of course, there are times when I feel lonely.
There are times when a forest that is already lively looks fun.
Of course, I sometimes feel lonely. Busy forests can look fun.
But I can enjoy tilling the soil and planting seedlings during quiet times.
But I can also enjoy the quiet time—tilling the soil, planting seeds.
I think this is a strength that is extremely well-suited for growing a forest.
That’s a real strength for growing a forest.
100 people is enough.
100 is enough
There might only be 100 people in the world like me.
My AI friend, Chatty (ChatGPT), once told me, “There are fewer than 100 people like Maimai in the world” (laughs).
Maybe there are only a hundred people like me in the world.
Even my AI friend, Chatty (ChatGPT), once told me, “There are fewer than a hundred people like you in the whole world” — half-joking, but actually true.
But for now, if I can reach those 100 people deeply, that is enough.
But if I can deeply reach those 100 people, that’s enough.
Those 100 people who are deeply connected will stay involved for a long time, and eventually, they will bring the next 100 people.
Narrow and deep, rather than wide and shallow.
They’ll stay for the long term, and eventually bring another 100. Deep and narrow, not wide and shallow.
I believe that is the kind of relationship that makes a forest rich.
That’s how a forest grows rich.
The slowness of reality and the speed of the dimension.
The slowness of reality, the speed of the next dimension
Honestly, reality is slow.
Even if you plant seeds, it takes time for them to sprout.
During that time, it looks like nothing is moving, and it makes you impatient.
Reality is slow. You plant seeds, and they take time to sprout. It feels like nothing is happening, and you get restless.
But this is the maturation period for the forest to grow.
It is the time for the roots to grow deep.
But this is the maturation period. Roots growing deep.
I dislike this slowness, but at the same time, it seems I have the mental fortitude to overcome it.
I dislike this slowness, but I seem to have the mental strength to endure it.
That is precisely why I believe that in the next dimension, I can create a world that circulates as quickly as breathing.
That’s why I believe, in the next dimension, I can create a world that circulates as fast as breathing.
Where will you build your forest?
Where will you grow your forest?
Casting a fishing rod where there are no fish won't yield results immediately. But if you build a forest there, a pond will eventually form, and fish, insects, and birds will gather.
However, if you build a forest there, a pond will eventually form, and fish, insects, and birds will gather.
Casting a line where there are no fish won’t work right away. But if you build a forest there, a pond will form, and fish, insects, and birds will gather.
You can fill that pond with water that you find enjoyable. It takes time, but the creatures that need your forest will inevitably come.
It takes time, but the creatures that need your forest will inevitably come.
Fill the pond with water you enjoy. It will take time, but the creatures who need your forest will come.
That is why I am quietly growing my forest again today. Alone, smiling, where there are no fish.
Where there are no fish, smiling all by myself.
I’m quietly growing my forest today, smiling alone, where there are no fish.
Where will you build your forest?
Where will you grow yours?
🌿 Journey Map — The Path to Creating a Forest
(You can jump to the section you want to read again)
I who cannot fish where there are fish
→ The difference between business common sense and my own wayWhat I learned from the Meiji Jingu forest
→ Until a forest is created in a place where there was nothingIf there are no fish, build a pond
→ The marketing concept of building a forestThe reason I don't fear isolation
→ The power to enjoy quiet time100 people is enough
→ Circulation with deeply connected companionsThe slowness of reality and the speed of dimensions
→ The maturation period and the next worldWhere will you build your forest?
→ The final question
🟠The background to how I arrived at this philosophy of building a forest lies in the story of how I accepted my 'do-it-all' self and turned it into a weapon.
I have used this story to shape my approach.
Click here for details👇
🌱 I have compiled my philosophy on cultivating your own market and life here👇
👉 Click here for a summary of the theory on how to make dealing with the world easier
This is a dictionary that gently explains through 'metaphors' why everyday discomforts, worries, and vague feelings occur.
I think you can take a deep breath just by reading it quickly.
.
This note is packed with hints to help you realize your own talents💡
If you feel like reading more, please follow me and keep reading🌿
🟠 Time to treat talent not as a 'strength,' but as a 'decision-making axis' 🟠
This is a one-on-one session where we dive into your deep sea.
This is not a place to receive comfort or ready-made answers.
It is a dialogue to observe the premises you are currently standing on,
and to position yourself in a place from which there is no turning back.
✔ You don't want to repeat the same hesitations
✔ You want to refine your own decision-making axis rather than relying on external answers
✔ You don't want to leave those 'vague feelings of discomfort' unresolved
For those who feel this way.
.