Hello, everyone.
This is Enta.
It's a real medal rush at the Tokyo Olympics!!
I just happened to see some skateboarding during the day!!!
That was absolutely amazing.
Even though I'm not really interested, it actually tugged at my heartstrings a little lol
What’s more, seeing the remarkable achievements of today’s young athletes—including their breaking of the youngest-ever record—really makes me happy.
The other day, I was talking to a general contractor's site supervisor.
Let's talk about that whole "Where exactly did the coaching change happen?" thing.
What I mean is: Where, at what age, and in what kind of setting did you become able to work independently while keeping the director in mind?
I think there's a turning point somewhere.
Didn't you feel like something had changed at some point?
Looking back now, I think I understand. I think there was a moment in the past when something just clicked.
For me, it's the Chuetsu Earthquake.
This was an emergency construction project to open the first tunnel leading to Yamakoshi Village.
Back then, I worked on slope stabilization and ground anchors during the day, and rebar installation at night.
I handled the design and cost estimates along the way, and when we ran out of materials, I’d hop in a truck and drive all the way to Tokyo—all while keeping my regular salary. It was hilarious lol.
What's more, I went there at first just to support the section chief.
Even though I was acting as a representative for the general contractor in Shuzenji, Shizuoka, right when we were about to start construction after submitting the construction plan, they changed the representative lol
It's a memory I'll never forget.
When we went to Niigata, the section chief said he had another job site to go to a week later... lol
That’s when things should have started to go from bad to worse, but it’s always at times like that that I end up meeting wonderful people.
Looking back now, I think it was an incredibly fun set. I was managing it all by myself day and night, but at some point, I just felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.
All sorts of things happened all at once: a contractor had to redo the anchor work—which had come loose—amid the year-end snowfall; they tried to remove the I-beam blocks, claiming it was according to the design; and when we stopped them, we got into a dispute with the general contractor.
(Removing the I-shaped blocks caused the top part to slip, leading to yet another construction project lol)
By the time that project was finished, I found myself thinking, “Oh, I feel like I can do anything,” lol (Well, I guess that was just the folly of youth, lol).
I think you've all experienced this, too.
That moment when, triggered by something, everything suddenly clicked into place.
I think he’s both a director and a craftsman.
Please try to remember that.
And,Please think back to who you were before that.
I think I was just a total loser back then lol
(My grandma was in critical condition three times and was even pronounced dead once; when he’d head to a job site, he’d leave the office and go to a pachinko parlor; he’d go wakeboarding first thing in the morning before work, then head to the job site, and go straight to the beach to surf afterward; and if there were mountains nearby, he’d spend all his time snowboarding—even on weekdays.)
Looking back now, it was a total mess.
With that in mind, take a look at today’s young people.
Don't you think there are a lot of talented young people these days?
There are so many good kids!
There are some who don't feel that way, but I think it's overwhelmingly better than it used to be.
I think our job is to figure out how we can provide them with the opportunity to change.
It’s part of our job as older guys to create opportunities for the next generation and to inspire the talent that will thrive in that generation.
If we do that, I think the next era will be fun, too.
Looking back now, I feel like I owe my current situation to the inspiration that section chief gave me...!?
See you later.
P.S. Today's Pictogram
