Leaving the Salaryman Life Behind and a New Season Begins

Saying Goodbye to the Corporate World

On December 31, 2024, I wrapped up my nearly 34-year-long journey as a salaryman. And the very next day, January 1, 2025, I took the plunge and went independent. When I think back to that day, I remember feeling all floaty and ungrounded. I’d spent so long being part of an organization, shielded by this invisible safety net called “the company.” And the moment that safety net was gone, I felt like I was walking in the air, free but also a bit lost. But that freedom was what I’d been chasing for years — freedom from company politics, command chains, and rigid schedules.

But of course, with freedom came a massive wave of pressure. The nagging worries of, “How am I going to make a living now? Can I really survive on my own?” They hit me hard. But I knew this was the trade-off for freedom, and I accepted it.

For nearly 34 years — about 400 times, give or take — on the 25th of every month, my paycheck went “cha-ching” into my bank account. It didn’t matter if I was killing it at work or just barely getting by. The money just kept flowing in. Breaking that addiction to steady paychecks? That was the biggest challenge of all.

Living Life on Hold for “Happiness”

Most of us grow up believing something like this: “If you work hard, you’ll be successful. And if you’re successful, then you’ll be happy.”

You’ve probably heard things like:

• “Get good grades, go to a prestigious school, and you’ll be happy.”

  
  

• “Land a great job at a top company, and happiness will follow.”

  
  

• “Hit your targets at work, and you’ll be happy.”

  
  

• “Marry the right person, build a nice family, and happiness will come.”

  
  

• “Buy a spacious, comfortable house, and you’ll finally be happy.”

  
  

• “Climb the corporate ladder, hit that million-yen salary mark, and you’ll be happy.”

  
  

• “Have a huge retirement fund, and happiness is guaranteed.”

  
  

• “Get into a high-end retirement home with top-tier services, and then you’ll be happy.”

  
  

• And then, some people end their lives saying, “As long as my funeral is big and attended by everyone I love, then I’ll finally be happy.”

We keep setting goal after goal, thinking happiness is waiting right behind the next achievement. But here’s the thing: if that formula were true, everyone who went to top schools or climbed high in their careers should be happy, right? But reality doesn’t work that way. Some of the most successful and famous people have taken their own lives. As long as you’re living by that formula, the moment you reach your goal, the next one just shifts further away. And that means real happiness never truly comes.

Starting From Happiness

What I realized is this: Flip the formula. Instead of chasing success to be happy, start by being happy. The idea is to feel fulfilled first, then pour your energy into whatever you want to do. Happiness comes first, success comes after. When you do things from a place of joy, effort looks like hard work to others, but to you, it’s just fun. It doesn’t feel like pain; it feels like pure enjoyment.

“I am enough!” That’s my mantra.

By embracing that belief and accepting myself as I am, I can build everything else from a foundation of happiness. What looks like effort to others feels like play to me because I’m genuinely enjoying what I do. It’s about turning effort from a grind into a joy.

The Magic of Connections

Once I went independent, people started reaching out to me like crazy. A senior mentor of mine treated me to lunch and then introduced me to a big project that would last for a whole year. Another person introduced me to the president of a famous company and even set up a meeting. Someone else from a well-known company just casually signed a contract with me after a friendly chat, no formal interview needed. And another person requested me to run a management training program for a major beer company based on my extensive experience as a manager.

Gratitude In My Heart

Every day feels like a series of miracles. I haven’t done any real marketing, but all the projects I have now are just gifts from others. I can’t thank them enough. The truth is, I’m only here because of the kindness and support of the people around me. It’s not just my effort or hard work. So, to honor their kindness, I’m determined to give my absolute best and offer more than expected in every training or coaching session I deliver. Every day, I feel a deep sense of responsibility and gratitude.

It took me over 30 years to break free from the salaryman life and overcome my financial fears. But my thirst for freedom won in the end. And I decided to truly live by the words “I am enough!”

The Power of Supporting Each Other

The other day, I got a chance to talk about my journey of quitting my job and going independent. A few days later, a friend came up to me with a big smile and said:

“I’ve always wanted to work with horses. But I kept holding back. But after hearing your story, I decided to just go for it. Now, I’m working at a horseback riding club. Thank you!”

Knowing that my story could help even one person take that leap of faith was incredibly fulfilling.

All these amazing people introducing me to new work, and a friend feeling inspired to chase his dream — it just shows how much we all rely on and support one another. It’s all about connection.

I really can’t say “thank you” enough.