I realised too late that reading is a really important part of language study. So I’m trying to spend some more time reading Japanese text. I figured attempting to translate might be a help. Here’s the original story entitled ５０歳以上しか採用しない会社の社長が言った、「人生の変え方」.
Below is the English translation, then I show line-by-line translations and a few notes for reference. This is an experiment, and hopefully I’ll do more.
“How to change your life”: words from a company CEO that only hires over 50’s
This drawing, shown to kids before studying for an exam, is pretty well done. It conveys a message that if you study as a kid, enter a good university, and then get a job at a good company, you can have a financially-secure life.
I’d like to focus on the point in the drawing that says on your 40th birthday: “from here life can’t be changed”. Upon reading that, I’m reminded of what someone told me, and I’d like to write about that here.
I visited a company with employees that were mostly over 50 years of age, and their CEO was over 65 and the board members were all over 60. Usually companies I visit are made up of staff in their 20’s and 30’s, so this kind of “over 50’s” company was completely alien to me.
This was my first experience talking with a company CEO with absolutely no young workers, so I asked the CEO some basic questions.
Me: This is the first time I’ve visited a company with no young workers.
CEO: Yeah I reckon. I don’t think you’ll find many companies like us.
Me: Why aren’t there any young workers?
CEO: It’s simple. It’s because I don’t employ any.
Me: You don’t hire any?
CEO: That’s right. I only hire over 50’s.
Me: !!
CEO: Is it strange? When you think about it, perhaps it is. With hiring, we have somewhat of a standard.
Me: What’s your criteria?
CEO: We only hire people who want to change their life.
Me: Have to be over 50.. Have to want to change their life.. That’s a different approach..
CEO: Yes that’s right. Normally it’s said that to change your life, you have to approach that from a young age. But I say anyone can change their life at any time.
Me: Indeed.. can I hear more about this?
CEO: Sure.
CEO: Mr Adachi, I’m always saying to my staff, to change your life you only have to know this little thing.
Me: Please go on.
CEO: Firstly, changing your life is not something you can do in an instant, it comes about by making small daily changes that become habitual. There’s merit in doing things habitually. For example, like getting up early, or reading a book during your daily commute. Apply this approach to work also. Make 10 calls per day, write emails to customers with heartfelt intent, things like that. From these small habitual changes, you can change your life.
Me: But I’m not sure these will lead to big changes..
CEO: Really? Those who made 10 daily phones call become top salespeople. Those who wrote heartfelt emails led to the best rate of repeat business. With 2 years of this, anyone can regain their confidence.
Me: (speechless)
CEO: Without fail, if you can continue something, that kind of result marks the first step towards change.
Me: Certainly.. that’s right.
CEO: Secondly, once the previously-mentioned habit becomes like an unconcious effort, the next habit-forming challenge awaits. Always be starting something new - anything is ok.
Me: Really, anything is ok?
CEO: Really, anything is fine. For example, always greet your colleagues, or refrain from eating after 9pm - just do something that comes to mind.
Me: Yeah, there are some things I’ve wanted to do before.
CEO: For most people, it takes 5 years but they will be better off.
Me: But there are people who can’t keep at it?
CEO: Yes that’s right. Then there’s the third point. If there’s some kind of setback, try something else. Don’t push yourself. Learn something from failure. Some habits will work for you, and others won’t, so don’t over do it. That’s the important thing. Before I spoke about the staff calling customers. Before they’ll break-through, they’ll face a few failures, and feel down about it. There’s absolutely no need to feel guilty about that. It’s important to learn from that and just keep going.
Me: I see.
CEO: The fourth point. Under no circumstances blame another. Putting the blaming on another means not being able to make good decisions about your own life.
Me: Even if it’s the fault of a terrible boss?
CEO: Ha ha, that’s right. Even if it’s the bosses fault, or your own fault, the result is the same so there’s no point worrying about it, right?
Me: (speechless)
CEO: The fifth point. Remember to be kind to people.
Me: That’s normal. That’s enough?
CEO: Of course. That’s important. All change starts from being kind to people. Mr Adachi, do you give up your seat on the train for elderly people?
Me: Umm?
CEO: Finally, when you think I want to change my life, think as if you’ve already started to change your life.
Me: What do you mean?
CEO: Mr Adachi, do you understand what it means when someone makes the decision to change their life?
Me: It’s probably a decision not made lightly?
CEO: That’s right. That’s why I interview people over 50, and only those who align with our approach are hired. I respect those kind of people.
So whenever I see remarks like “when you get to middle age, life doesn’t change” and “making corrections to life requires a lot of energy”, I’m reminded of that CEO’s words “that’s not always the case”.
Line-by-line breakdown
| English | Japanese |
|---|---|
| “How to change your life”: words from a company CEO that only hires over 50’s. | ５０歳以上しか採用しない会社の社長が言った、「人生の変え方」 |
| This drawing shown to kids before studying for an exam is pretty well done. It conveys a message that if you study as a kid, enter a good university, and then get a job at a good company, you can have a financially-secure life. | 受験勉強を始める子供に見せる画像（本当なのだろうか？）のようだが、よく出来ているな、と感じる。「子供の頃から勉強して、いい学校に入って、良い企業に就職すると、一生安泰だよ」というメッセージを伝えているのだろう。 |
| I’d like to focus on the point in the drawing that says on your 40th birthday: “from here life can’t be changed”. Upon reading that, I’m reminded of what someone told me, and I’d like to write about that here. | さて、この画像の中で注目したいのが40歳の「もうここからは人生は変えられない」という一言だ。これを読んで、ある方の話を思い出したので、それを書こうと思う。 |
| I have visited a company with employees that were mostly over 50 years of age, and their CEO was over 65 and the board members were all over 60. Usually companies I visit are made up of staff in their 20’s and 30’s, so this kind of over 50’s company was completely alien to me. | 私は以前、殆どの社員が50歳以上、という会社に訪問したことがある。社長はすでに65歳を超えており、役員も軒並み60歳以上、普段はむしろ20代、30代の方々が多くを占める企業ばかりに訪問していた私としては、全く異質の会社であった。 |
| This was my first experience talking with a company CEO with absolutely no young workers, so I asked the CEO some basic questions. | 若手の全くいない会社の社長にお話を聞くのははじめての経験だ。私は社長に素朴な疑問をぶつけた。 |
| Me: This is the first time I’ve visited a company with no young workers. | 私 「若手が全くいない会社にご訪問するのは初めてです。」 |
| CEO: Yeah I reckon. I don’t think you’ll find many. | 社長 「そうでしょう。他にはあまりないと思います。」 |
| Me: Why aren’t there any young workers? | 私 「なぜ若手が全くいないのですか？」 |
| CEO: It’s simple. It’s because I don’t employ any. | 社長 「カンタンですよ。採用していないからです。」 |
| Me: You don’t hire any? | 私 「採用していない…？」 |
| CEO: That’s right. I only hire over 50’s. | 社長 「そうです。ウチでは50歳以上の人しか採用しません。」 |
| Me: !! | 私 「…！！」 |
| CEO: Is it strange? When you think about it, perhaps it is. With hiring, we have somewhat of a standard. | 社長 「不思議ですか？普通に考えればそうですよね。でも、採用にはちょっとした基準があるんです。」 |
| Me: What’s your criteria? | 私 「どんな基準ですか？」 |
| CEO: We only hire people who want to change their life. | 社長 「人生を変えたい、という人だけを採用しています」 |
| Me: Have to be over 50.. Have to want to change their life.. That’s a different approach.. | 私 「50歳以上で、かつ人生を変えたい人、ということですよね…？変わっていますね…！」 |
| CEO: Yes that’s right. Normally it’s said that to change your life, you have to approach that from a young age. But I say anyone can change their life at any time. | 社長 「そうでしょう。普通は「人生を変えたいなら、若いうちにやらないといけない」って言われてますからね。でも、人生を変えるなんて、誰でも、いつでもできるんです。」 |
| Me: Indeed.. can I hear more about this? | 私 「……ぜひ、そのお話、聞かせていただけないですか？」 |
| CEO: Sure | 社長 「いいですよ。」 |
| CEO: Mr Adachi, I’m always saying to my staff, to change your life you only have to know this little thing. | 社長 「安達さん、私は社員にいつも言っているんです。人生を変えるには、ほんのちょっとのことを知るだけでいいんだ、と。」 |
| Me: Please go on. | 私 「はい。」 |
| CEO: Firstly, changing your life is not something you can do in an instant, it comes about by making small daily changes that become habitual. There’s merit in doing things habitually For example, like getting up early, or reading a book during your daily commute. Apply this approach to work also. Make 10 calls per day, write emails to customers with heartfelt intent, things like that. From these small habitual changes, you can change your life. | 社長 「一つ目、人生を変えるのは、一発逆転の出来事ではなく、些細な日常の習慣です。「続けること」そのものに価値があります。例えば、「早起きする」であったり、「通勤時間に必ず本を読む」でもいい。仕事も同じです。電話を毎日10本する、であったり、お客さんにこころをこめてメールを書く、でもなんでもいいです。とにかく、小さい習慣から人生は変わります。」 |
| Me: But I’m not sure these will lead to big changes.. | 私 「でも、大きくは変わらない気もしますが…」 |
| CEO: Really? Those who made 10 daily phones call become top salespeople. Those who wrote heartfelt-emails led to the best rate of repeat business. With 2 years of this, anyone can regain their confidence. | 社長 「そう思いますか？電話を毎日10本かけた社員は、トップ営業になりました。こころをこめてメールを書いた社員は、リピート率No.1です。2年もすれば、誰にでも自信が生まれます。」 |
| Me: (speechless) | 私 「…」 |
| CEO: Without fail, if you can continue something, that kind of result marks the first step towards change. | 社長 「とにかく、何かを続けることが出来た、という実績が人生を変える第一歩です。」 |
| Me: Certainly.. that’s right. | 私「確かに…そうですね。」 |
| CEO: Secondly, once the previously-mentioned habit becomes like an unconcious effort, the next habit-forming challenge awaits. Always be starting something new - anything is ok. | 社長 「二つ目、先ほどの習慣が意識せずにできるようになったら、次の習慣に挑戦する。なんでもいいから、常に新しいことを始めることです。」 |
| Me: Really, anything is ok? | 私 「なんでもいいんですか？」 |
| CEO: Really, anything is fine. For example, always greet your colleagues, or refrain from eating after 9pm - just do something that comes to mind. | 社長 「本当に、なんでもいいです。挨拶を欠かさない、でも、９時を過ぎたら食事を慎む、でもいいです。自分が前から気にしていたことをやればいいんです。」 |
| Me: Yeah, there are some things I’ve wanted to do before. | 私 「確かに…私もやりたいとおもっていたこと、あります。」 |
| CEO: For most people, it takes 5 years but they will be better off. | 社長 「ここまで、だいたい皆５年かかります。でも皆、見違えるようになりますよ。」 |
| Me: But there are people who can’t keep at it? | 私 「でも、習慣を続けられない人もいるんじゃないですか？」 |
| CEO: Yes that’s right. Then there’s the third point. If there’s some kind of setback, try something else. Don’t push yourself. Learn something from failure. Some habits will work for you, and others won’t, so don’t over do it. That’s the important thing. Before I spoke about the staff calling customers. Before they’ll break-through, they’ll face a few failures, and feel down about it. There’s absolutely no need to feel guilty about that. It’s important to learn from that and just keep going. | 社長 「そのとおりです。そこで、三つ目、一つ挫折したら、次のものを設定する。無理して出来ないことを続けない。失敗は、それ自体がノウハウです。習慣には自分に合うものと会わないものがありますから、ムリはしない。重要です。先ほどの「電話をかけ続ける」という社員は、そこに辿り着くまでに二回ほど挫折していますよ。何かができない、ということについて、罪悪感を感じる必要は全くありません。「できないこと」がわかることは大事です。」 |
| Me: I see. | 私 「なるほど…」 |
| CEO: The fourth point. Under no circumstances blame another. Putting the blaming on another means not being able to make good decisions about your own life. | 社長 「四つ目です。決して他人のせいにしない、ということを守ってください。他の人のせいにするということは、自分の人生を自分で決めていない、ということです。」 |
| Me: Even if it’s the fault of a terrible boss? | 私 「嫌な上司のせいであっても？」 |
| CEO: Ha ha, that’s right. Even if it’s the bosses fault, or your own fault, the result is the same so there’s no point worrying about it, right? | 社長 「ハハッ、そうですね。仮に上司のせいであっても、自分のせいであっても、結果は同じですから、悩むだけ時間の無駄でしょう？」 |
| Me: (speechless) | 私 「…」 |
| CEO: The fifth point. Remember to be kind to people. | 社長 「五つ目です。人に親切にする、ということを守ってください。」 |
| Me: That’s normal. That’s enough? | 私 「普通ですね。そんなのでいいんですか？」 |
| CEO: Of course. That’s important. All change starts from being kind to people. Mr Adachi, do you give up your seat on the train for elderly people? | 社長 「もちろん。大事なことです。すべての変化は、人に親切にすることから始まるんですよ。安達さんは、電車でお年寄りに席を譲ってますか？」 |
| Me: Umm? | 私 「むー…。」 |
| CEO: Finally, when you think I want to change my life, think as if you’ve already started to change your life. | 社長 「最後です、「人生を変えようと思った時点で、既に人生は変わり始めている」と思ってください。」 |
| Me: What do you mean? | 私 「…どういうことでしょう？」 |
| CEO: Mr Adachi, do you understand what it means when someone makes the decision to change their life? | 社長 「５０歳で人生を変えたい、という決意がどれほどのものか、安達さんに分かりますか？」 |
| Me: It’s probably a decision not made lightly? | 私 「相当の決意、ということでしょうか。」 |
| CEO: That’s right. That’s why I interview people over 50, and only those who align with our approach are hired. I respect those kind of people. | 社長 「そうです。だからこそ、私は５０歳以上を面接する、そして、今の話に賛同していただいた方々だけを、採用するのです。私は、そういう方々をリスペクトしているのですよ。」 |
| So whenever I see remarks like “when you get to middle age, life doesn’t change” and “making corrections to life requires a lot of energy”, I’m reminded of that CEO’s words “that’s not always the case”. | 中年になったら人生は変わらない、とか、人生を軌道修正するにはとてもエネルギーが要る、といった言説を見る度に、私はあの社長の言葉を思い出し、「そんなことは決まってない」と思い返すのである。 |
Translation notes
- 辿り着く= たどりつく= struggle on
- 罪悪感 = ざいあくかん = guilt feelings
- 相当の決意 (そうとう・の・けつい) = considerable decision