Are you thinking about starting your own business or ditching the grind?
This article shares tips for starting your own business through my personal experiences. I was once in your shoes, constantly wondering, “Is it really okay to continue living this way?”
After reading this article, you’ll know what actions you need to take to start your business.
Contents
Trigger Was My Pay Slip
Where Did My Money Go?
After graduating college, I started my career at an IT company. I never thought I’d want to quit this company and start my own business. My coworkers and bosses were kind, and the salary wasn’t bad (though the job itself was quite boring). So, I honestly thought I’d work at this company until retirement.
One day, at the end of the month, I happened to glance at my pay slip. I don’t usually pay much attention to it, but for some reason, that day I became very concerned about the deduction columns for health insurance, employment insurance, income tax, and resident tax.
“What is this money? Why do I have to pay such a large amount?” I really wanted to understand the true nature of these deductions. So, I asked my boss about them, thinking he would definitely know.
Even My Boss Was Clueless
However, he simply told me, “Sorry, I don’t know much about it, But these deductions must be paid every month.“
This situation felt incredibly strange to me, because I believed we should always know what we’re paying for. I then asked the same question to other bosses and coworkers: “Do you know what these deductions are for?” But I couldn’t get the answer I was looking for.
So, I decided to study about money and understand the true nature of these deductions myself.
Beyond What We’re Taught
I Started by Learning About Money
As I studied about money, I was honestly shocked by the various things and facts I hadn’t learned as a student.
The first major realization was our overwhelming lack of financial knowledge. If you want to learn about money, you have to teach yourself once you become an adult, because we simply don’t learn about it in school.
Most people want to be rich, but they have virtually no knowledge about money. Don’t you think that’s strange?
Secondly, especially in Japan, from now on, you can only truly rely on yourself. The most surprising fact was realizing that “Just because you join a large company does not guarantee a secure future.” Many young Japanese people still believe that landing a job at a big company means they’ve “won at life!”
However, Japan’s future outlook is one of continued decline. As evidence, Japan’s per capita GDP has fallen to the lowest rank among G7 countries over the past 10 years.
Source: The Asahi Simbun
The Escape Plan Begins
Understanding these facts made me start thinking, “It’s easy to stay in this company, but will I truly be happy? Will I live a life I won’t regret?“
The comfort of my ‘Salaryman’ life suddenly felt like a trap, and the thought of spending decades in a job that didn’t excite me became unbearable. I craved a future where I had more control and genuine fulfillment.
That’s when I decided to try a side business and investment, aiming to break free from my current situation.
Conclusion
My path to independence began with a simple question about my payslip. What I uncovered was a lack of financial education and a changing economy that challenged my idea of security. This realization sparked a strong desire to take control and build a life on my own terms.
It showed me that real security and fulfillment come from understanding the world and actively creating your own future.
I truly hope this blog inspires you to change your life!
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