Section 1.1: Cultivate an Unstoppable Spirit

Harness the strength within you to tackle challenges head-on. Reject any limitations imposed by fear or self-doubt, and pursue your goals with tenacity and resilience.

You possess far more capability than you realize. For example, in my early twenties, I had little knowledge of Japanese. Yet, I was resolute about making Japan my home, mastering the language, and building a career in design.

Many questioned my choice: “What is Lucy thinking? She’s too old to pick up a second language!” They doubted my ability to secure a job without Japanese proficiency or even a CV, let alone a design portfolio!

Did I allow their skepticism to deter me? Not at all. After graduation, I embarked on an adventurous journey to Japan.

Did I become fluent in Japanese overnight? Certainly not. I imagined myself absorbing the language effortlessly, but reality proved otherwise.

Did I secure a design position immediately? Far from it. My first roles were teaching English and working in sales before I eventually found my place in Japan’s Dot-com sector.

Did these hurdles stop me? Absolutely not. I have something that critics often overlook: I possess unwavering determination, often referred to as grit.

Grit is the steadfast resolve to persevere despite prolonged challenges. Achieving meaningful goals often requires time and effort; it’s about valuing the journey over the destination.

Here’s how I navigated through my challenges while pursuing my ambitions. After a year of self-study, I enrolled in a Tokyo university to immerse myself in the language for two additional years while teaching English to support myself.

Upon graduating, I received an offer from a prominent Japanese manufacturer. As the only native English speaker, I faced a critical challenge. Fortunately, not only did I survive, but I also thrived in that environment.

By my mid-20s, I had made substantial progress. I became proficient in both written and spoken Japanese, positioning myself for a promising career, albeit initially in sales.

I transitioned into a creative role by teaching myself HTML, designing logos for startups, networking within Japan’s Dot-com community, and building a portfolio through pro bono work, eventually landing paid projects with companies like Rakuten Ichiba.

Thanks to my determination, I achieved fluency in Japanese. With a touch of boldness, I flourished in various dynamic and creative roles in Tokyo.

The key takeaway? Be unstoppable. Just because others may struggle doesn’t mean you will. Their limitations do not apply to you; your only boundaries are those you impose on yourself.

Section 1.2: Establish Your Own Benchmarks

Rather than measuring yourself against others, define success on your own terms. Strive to surpass your personal expectations and continuously elevate your standards.

Throughout my life, I have adhered to a few fundamental principles, one of which is the 1% improvement rule. This means aiming for a slight enhancement each time. For instance, I went from running 1km to completing a marathon within two years.

Were there skeptics? Absolutely. Did I pay attention to their doubts? Not for a second. Training for the Tokyo Marathon in 2013 transformed my perspective.

By 2016, I ran the Tokyo Marathon again and improved my previous time by over ten minutes. Did critics arise once more? Yes, but they’re no longer on my Christmas card list.

The takeaway? Set your own standards. The best measure of progress is assessing how you are performing today compared to yesterday or a year ago.

Section 1.3: Commit to Lifelong Learning

Embrace the notion that growth and development are continuous processes. Maintain curiosity, open-mindedness, and a commitment to expanding your knowledge and skills throughout your life.

For me, learning coding as a young designer was transformative. It sharpened my cognitive skills and enabled me to express my creativity practically, all while providing financial support.

It was a win-win scenario!

One thing is certain: the world is evolving.

As Alvin Toffler wisely stated, “The illiterates of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Technology is reshaping our lives and work environments. In today’s economy, your ability to generate innovative ideas distinguishes you. Why? Because that’s a skill that robots may never replicate.

The takeaway? Embrace lifelong learning. Do not compromise your standards to fit societal norms. After all, a world devoid of creativity would be dull and stagnant!

Never stop striving to become the person you envision yourself as.

Never stop learning.

Never stop growing.

Never stop pushing.

You are your only limit.

When reflecting on my journey, I could never have anticipated my current position. I am excited about where I’ll be six months from now—something I can’t even imagine today. This motivates me to explore new opportunities.

As positive outcomes begin to manifest, growth becomes an exhilarating pursuit!

Thank you for reading!