Daiwa Kojofu's Success Formula

Author: Cao Xiuyun / Country: Mainland China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: Ability in the future tense
Daiwa said, "When setting long-term goals, I intentionally set my abilities slightly above the current level. In other words, I choose goals that my current abilities cannot achieve and select a future point in time to achieve them. To achieve the goal at that time, leaders must systematically improve their own and their team's abilities to the level required by the set goal. Anyone can judge what they can and cannot do based on their current abilities. However, this alone is not enough to take on new challenges. Only by making efforts to turn goals that seem impossible at the current moment into certain achievements at some point in the future can extraordinary results be produced."
Those who wish to challenge valuable things must be able to see both their current level of ability and their future level. Ability has past tense, present tense, and future tense. Mr. Daiwa's statement is very unique. If you think carefully, things are indeed this way. By comparing your abilities at a past point in time with your current abilities and reflecting on the efforts you have made, you will understand: from now on, how should you strive to achieve the necessary level of ability at some point in the future? To view ability in the future tense is to believe that people's abilities can improve and that, since the creation of humans, God has allowed humans to progress continuously in all aspects. Without this belief and by being rigid in judging with current abilities, it is a subjective and arbitrary act.
In the early days of his entrepreneurship, Mr. Daiwa received new orders from clients that were beyond the technical capabilities of the time. After a period of effort, such as half a year, he believed that improved capabilities would make it possible. He made guarantees to the clients with this belief. However, whether he could solve the problem within the deadline could not be accurately predicted, and this risk forced his team to work tirelessly. As a result, not only did he fulfill his promises and secure the orders, but he also improved his technology and realized the important principle of "using the future tense for ability."
Students, through daily learning, continuously accumulate knowledge and improve their abilities; we, through daily work, accumulate experience and improve our abilities. However, this general learning and work, due to the lack of a special sense of urgency, often leads to slow and small improvements in ability. Mr. Daiwa sets high goals and imposes deadlines, leaving no room for retreat, forcing himself and his subordinates to rapidly and significantly improve their abilities. This is the difference between Mr. Daiwa and us.
Shaping one's character
Mr. Daiwa said, "Among the operators of small and medium-sized enterprises, there are many energetic and talented individuals. They have sharp business insights, are good at seizing opportunities, and possess extraordinary abilities. However, even among this group, only a few achieve great success. Why? Most entrepreneurs rely on their personal intelligence and abilities. Of course, these are necessary for entrepreneurs, but they are not enough to prevent their businesses from failing. Many operators of small and medium-sized enterprises rely solely on their personal abilities to strive for their goals, constantly taking risks in their ventures. However, due to excessive reliance on their personal talents, they often achieve only temporary success, and their businesses lack longevity. If we lack a strong will, we can easily become the 'slaves' of our own talents. But there are those who do not become the 'slaves' of their talents but instead use them to their fullest potential because they possess outstanding character. A noble and respected character is the 'master.' It can control talent, allowing it to be fully utilized in the right direction. Perfect character is rarely innate. In the early stages, one can rely on their intelligence, abilities, and competitiveness to achieve certain success. But to sustain long-term success, one must strive to improve their mind and shape their noble character."
This discusses the relationship between the third element "ability" and the element "character." The improvement of a person's "ability," especially its full and proper utilization, not only depends on "effort" but even more on "character." Initial success can rely on ability, but further and sustained success must rely on character. If a person becomes arrogant and blinded by slight success, becoming the "slave" of their own talents, it means they have already begun to fail. It is essential to call upon the "master" of character to take charge. One should not be arrogant due to talent and should make the phrase "do not be the slave of your talents" a life motto for the wise. Only then can wisdom be transformed into "wisdom." P43-44