Take the time to try something really big in life

When Meiji University's Alpine Club held a training camp on Mount Hakuba 48 years ago to welcome scores of new members, the first to drop from exhaustion was a slightly built freshman from the agriculture department. His nickname was "Donguri" (acorn) because he kept falling down.

This man was Naomi Uemura (1941-1984), who later became the first person in the world to conquer the highest peaks on five continents.

So this great adventurer was no shining star from the start. After graduating, Uemura went to the United States to raise money for his expedition. According to his book, "Seishun wo Yama ni Kakete" (Devoting my youthful years to mountain climbing) published by Bungeishunju Ltd., Uemura made this heartfelt vow: "Until I find a job, I'll spend as little money as possible, even if it means having to live on nothing but cucumbers!" His optimism and refusal to quit likely helped him survive.

Soon this year's new office workers will have survived a month on the job themselves. Some may have received nothing but scoldings these past weeks, but they should not lose heart.

Katsuya Nomura, manager of the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles pro baseball team, said in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun: "I don't scold those who are beyond hope and I couldn't care less about."

Nomura was describing how he deals with his top players, but it also explains why he habitually complains about promising young players, too.

When I was a cub reporter, I got yelled at while I was using a pay phone. I was forced to listen to a lengthy tirade, but I don't remember what it was about. This person was screaming loudly, so I held the receiver away from my ear. Then, I heard a voice behind me asking, "Why is someone so mad at you?" I turned and saw a primary school kid gazing up at me with worried eyes.

Now, I am convinced that no rookie is "beyond hope." No one would be a rookie in the first place if someone hadn't seen their potential and hired them. So here is my advice to all rookies: Set yourself a truly ambitious goal now, while you still have space to make mistakes. Do it and know you are completely free to step boldly.

Recall "Acorn" Uemura, who returned from the Hakuba training camp after enduring a miserable time. He made a firm resolution to get up at 6 a.m. every day to run 9 kilometers on mountain roads. That resolve eventually led him to become a world-renowned explorer and adventurer.

Not everyone can take a rest during the Golden Week holidays, but I hope that all the young, determined people out there are beginning to plan something really big.

Were it Uemura, he would perhaps spend the break nibbling at cucumbers as he contemplated the order in which he would attempt the peaks on those five continents.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 26(IHT/Asahi: May 5,2008)