It is becoming possible to create an environment where one can live, work, and pursue happiness anywhere in the world, through ingenuity. Not only individuals, but also companies are increasingly providing more comfortable working environments through ingenuity. A restaurant in Kyoto uses “sales figures” as its work unit. They set a sales limit of “100 steak bowls per day,” and operate their business accordingly. They have also set a limit on their own income. Setting an income limit increases free time and allows for a more comfortable life. Of course, they generate profits within a range that allows them to live comfortably. This restaurant is a model company that avoids the long working hours common in the food service industry. Employees leave work around 5 PM, and food waste is virtually zero. This restaurant is a model that balances business profits with customer satisfaction.
There are people who practice a business model that sells out, generate a certain level of profit, and achieve a comfortable life with their families. He prioritizes a relaxed lifestyle and practices a “minimum-income” business model, operating his curry lunch service four days a week. His curry’s distinguishing feature lies in its spices. These spices have gained him a reputation, attracting customers from both within and outside the prefecture. While he keeps the variety of curry limited, his business is thriving, and the shop’s income largely covers his living expenses. Since October 2022, he has been open three days a week. He operates only for lunch three days a week, spending the remaining four days with his family or holding curry-making classes. His lifestyle is guided by a policy of not trying too hard to meet the expectations of others. If his reputation is good, making curry every day would increase customers and income. However, he has learned from experience that this comes with significant losses. “It’s because I have this leeway that I can pursue the activities I want to do,” he said with a smile.
Some people also practice a relaxed lifestyle, enjoying life with their families. Mr. A, for example, has made it a life policy to travel 50 days a year with his wife and son. After graduating from university, Mr. A joined a major electronics company and worked intensely, even on weekends. After a few years, he achieved top-level sales performance within the company. With this newfound stability, he noticed that many people around him, despite lower salaries, seemed happy. He began to wonder, “Is this the right way to work?” Mr. A decided to try out various companies to find out what kind of work style was best for him. After experiencing diverse industries, he realized something: as long as he was employed by a company, he couldn’t control his working hours or workload. Therefore, he decided that becoming independent was the right path. Having acquired various skills, Mr. A now lives in Okinawa. His sources of income include the lodging business, investments, and rental businesses. As long as there is an internet connection, he can work from anywhere. This August, he and his family traveled to South Africa, Namibia, and Tanzania for a month, putting his philosophy into practice.
