Hello. This is Kamiyama.
I usually create and sell businesses.

Now,the previous articleI talked about the importance of having a vision and focusing on 'why' you do something, rather than 'what' you do. Perhaps, those who found something resonant in the previous article have already started searching for their vision.

That said, I believe a fundamental question remains: even when we talk about vision, what exactly should we do to find it? Especially if you don't have any particular problem you want to solve, or any thoughts like 'I want the world to be this way'. Where should one start to find a vision? I'm sure there are some of you who still have such questions.

In a place that teaches typical 'business startup', they might tell you that if you don't even have a vision, you're 'not suited' for it, but I would dare to say, 'you can still do it'. The truth is, there are tricks to finding a vision and 'why' you do something. And they are concrete.

So, what are these tricks? I'll talk about that next time.

This time, instead of tricks, I'll talk about what's needed when creating a business,the most fundamental ability requiredI will talk about. Besides creating a business, there's an important skill for living life, or for making your future life exactly as you wish. What is it?

It's the ability to think logically and calmly, and to solve problems.

When thinking step-by-step becomes a habit, you'll be able to solve most visible problems.

When a problem appears before you, how do you think? For example, if you had to earn 500,000 yen as quickly as possible, how would you act? For me, I would think like this:

1. Why can't I make 500,000 yen in 30 days?
2. I can't make 500,000 yen in 30 days because I don't have a way to earn 500,000 yen.
3. So, why can't I find a way to earn 500,000 yen?
4. Because I don't know what kind of business sells for 500,000 yen.
5. So, why don't I know what kind of business sells for 500,000 yen?
6. Because I've never done business or looked for one.
7. So, first, let's look for a business that can earn 500,000 yen.

This is a simple example, but it's a straightforward illustration of thinking in an orderly fashion. It might seem difficult, but it's essentially a word association game. Often, when solving a problem,Repeat WHY (なぜ) 5 times, it is said. Because if you repeat 'why' 5 times, you'll usually see the answer.

Following the flow above, we decided to first look for a business that could earn 500,000 yen. And let's say, after searching around, you found a business. It might be selling 50 items at 10,000 yen each, or selling one item at 500,000 yen. In any case, let's assume you found a business that could potentially reach 500,000 yen.

However, here you hit another wall. It's about how to sell your product. Even if you try desperately, it won't sell. When you're at a loss for what to do, let's calm down and think a little.

1. Why isn't my product selling?
2. Because I'm not selling to customers who want my product.
3. Why am I not selling to customers who want my product?
4. Because I don't know where the customers who want my product are.
5. Why don't I know where the customers are?
6. Because I haven't researched thoroughly.
7. So, let's thoroughly investigate where the customers are.

Following the pattern above, after investigating where the customers are, there's a possibility that sales will start. However, there might be other causes. The problem is never limited to just one thing. Let's consider a few patterns.

1. Why isn't my product selling?
2. Isn't the price too high for its value?
3. Why is the price too high for its value?
4. Because I don't know the appropriate price for the product and what customers are willing to pay.
5. Why don't I know the appropriate price?
6. Because I haven't researched the appropriate price.
7. So, let's research the appropriate amount.

If you think calmly step by step, what you should do now will become clear. If your product is truly attractive, by discovering the causes one by one and eliminating them, you will eventually reach the point where it 'sells'. Simply put, it's a process of elimination.

If something doesn't sell, there must be some reason for it. Why doesn't it sell? Why don't customers reach for my product? Such problems can be solved by repeatedly asking 'why'. After that, it's all about trying relentlessly, collecting data, analyzing it, and continuing to challenge yourself.

As you keep challenging, you may eventually match the timing that customers are looking for. At that moment, your product will boast an unshakeable value that continues to sell at all times.

However, what's important here is that the 'problem' is clear. If the problem you currently have is 'unclear', it's not necessarily a universal way of thinking. 'Things aren't going well, but I want them to work out for now' won't lead to a concrete course of action. Why aren't things progressing well? Why is the cause of failure? It's paramount to think through and identify that 'problem' step by step. For example,

1. Why isn't my life going well?
2. Because I'm not taking actions that would make it go well.
3. Why am I not taking actions that would make it go well?
4. Because I don't have a vision for what happens after it goes well in the first place.
5. Why don't I have a vision?
6. Because I hadn't particularly thought about it.
7. So, first, let's think about what the vision is after things go well.

In other words, while saying things aren't going well, you might not have decided what the vision is after things go well, remaining with some vague image, unable to even draw a clear ideal or goal. If the goal isn't visible, even if it's temporary, you naturally can't start running. Even if it changes as you go along.

In fact, this way of thinking can be applied not only to work and product sales but to everything imaginable.

A means to open up one's life. The discovery of means to make the impossible possible. In any case, as long as there is a clear, visible problem, all paths can be opened.

My life isn't progressing as ideally as I'd like. So, what's the problem? What's hindering my life from getting better? First, before frantically rushing, regain your composure and think step by step. Then, once you arrive at a specific problem, think step by step about how to solve it and come up with concrete actions.

Think deeply, form a 'hypothesis' about what might be the cause, and clear them one by one. By solving problems this way, you approach success through elimination. Think calmly, devise strategies for definite problems step by step, and solve them. Let this series of steps become a 'habit' in your mind. Then, most of the unsolvable problems around you will disappear.

Incidentally, this step-by-step way of thinking is like a simplified version of what is called 'logical thinking' in the world.

Recently, there have been discussions that logical thinking is outdated. Indeed, trying to solve everything with only logical thinking is outdated. This is because logical thinking excels at figuring out how to solve problems that are already identified as problems.

However, we are now in an era where even the problems themselves are unclear. What the problem is, is not visible.

For example, the iPhone is a good example.

Before the iPhone appeared and the concept of smartphones permeated the world, people didn't want something called a 'smartphone'. Even though it would be convenient to have one, people didn't know what form it should take or how it should be provided.

What Steve Jobs did then was to uncover unseen problems. Something vaguely more convenient, beyond the current level of satisfaction. If the current situation is reasonably satisfying, it's hard to see problems further ahead. To materialize such unseen problems, no one can understand them without creating and giving them form. And above all, it's about believing that it is necessary for the world. It's about bringing about evolution that goes beyond the generally imaginable limits.

I believe that logical thinking cannot fully demonstrate its effectiveness against such 'unseen problems'. What is needed there is the concept of 'design thinking'. If you don't know about design thinking, please look it up. However, I interpret logical thinking as suitable for solving problems that are already recognized as problems.

It's not as if all problems in this world are completely beyond people's imagination. If you're running a business, countless clear problems that need to be solved will arise. When you hit a wall. When you have to remove an obstacle in front of you. In various cases, you should carefully consider how to solve problems.

This time, we explained the mindset necessary as a foundation for implementing tips on creating work.

By all means, let's all develop the habit of thinking sequentially and instantly in our minds, so that we can respond to any problem with ease. Even if something bad happens, if you know how to overcome problems, there's almost nothing to fear.

Logical thinking. I feel that logical thinking isn't outdated or anything, but rather a fundamental skill that one should possess. Also, it depends on where and how you use it. I think it's a way of thinking that everyone should try to master at least once. By the way, I'll also include a book on design thinking, which is the complete opposite way of thinking from logical thinking.