Make your experience useful—experience oriented.

“Empirical insights and findings are indispensable for technological development and manufacturing industries. Theory alone cannot help anything. For example, in the case of ceramics, anyone can understand that they can be made by mixing the raw material powders, molding them, and firing them at a high temperature. However, you will never know what it exactly is to mix powder unless you actually try it yourself. Liquids and gases can be completely mixed, but when it comes to powders, only experience allows you to figure out the conditions where powder is completely mixed. I could say that when you achieve a certain level where such empirical lessons and highly advanced theories are fully integrated, the true progress and innovation happen. “

Mr. Inamori places great importance on understanding business mottos through actual experience and putting them into practice, rather than learning from books. This is a very important attitude in doing business and in having better lives, and I think it is also an universal law that we must always be aware of.

Followings are three important stances to find values on actual experiences.

1 Your thoughts are not always the same as so-called common senses

2 Respect the rules of universe

3 Look at everything with open minds

Let me explain one by one.

1 Your thoughts are not always same as so-called common senses

By accumulating experience, people also accumulate knowledge and wisdom. The biggest mistake in this process is to believe that overestimating yourself that you are always right.
If you think you are always right, you will not have either any further progress, innovation, or expect so-called God’s help. It is important to talk to yourself that what you have experienced so far is only a small part of the world, and it is not always correct. Be humble and keep your mind open.

2 Respect the rules of universe

Inamori says that the universe is full of love, sincerity and harmony. Also, Aikido master Yamaguchi says that like water flowing from the high to the low, we follow nature and look at the laws of the universe.
Everyone’s own experience is quite important. However, in order not to become dogmatic and prejudiced, it is important to learn about the laws of the universe, the flow and rules of nature, and let yourself naturally follow those rules.

3 Look at everything with open minds

Mr. Inamori says that this is the same as humility. If you look at things with bias, you fail to understand how the universe had created those subjects, their true nature. For example, when someone does something kind to you, it’s good to be honest and say thank you to him/her.
It is however a bad attitude to assume that this person is kind to me because he tries to take advantage of me. Also, the results of experiments and work are caused by yourself, and no one to be blamed. I think that when people admit their own inadequacies, they realize the kindness of the surrounding environment that has kindly forgive such imperfections.

Don’t look at things with crooked eyes, look at them honestly, follow them honestly, I think this kind of attitude is important.