I finished reading “Don’t Read the Air” (『空気を読んではいけない』) by Shinya Aoki, so I’ll share several parts that can be applied not to fighters but to engineers.

Reducing Relationship Troubles

If you don't have friends, you'll have fewer relationship troubles. Don't have friends and live as you think. By doing so, you can focus on what you should do. 「友達という存在がなければ、人間関係の悩みを抱えることも少なくなる。友達なんて持たずに、自分の思ったように生きる。そうすることで、やるべきことに集中できる。」

Always Look for Gaps

Without being swayed by surroundings, constantly searching for gaps and pursuing new techniques has ultimately connected to my market value as a fighter. 「周囲に流されることなく、常に隙間を探し、新たな技術を追い求め続けてきたことは、結果的に僕の選手としての市場価値にも繋がっている。」

Fight Against Unwritten Rules

I'm always prepared to die fighting against opponents who force unconditional submission using uncodified rules like hierarchical relationships and traditions as reasons. 「上下関係や伝統といった明文化されていないような掟を理由に、無条件で屈服を強要してくる相手に対して、いつでも刺し違える覚悟でいる。」

In my case, I try to communicate what should be said frankly.

Don't Create Debts, Be Conscious of Creating Credits

Even just being treated to a meal creates a dominance relationship in one go. Once you receive aid from a patron, it means you can't refuse their demands anymore.

Don’t create debts, be conscious of creating credits. 「借りをつくらず、貸しをつくることを意識する。」 Relationship complications are wasteful costs. To avoid having such things, I’m always careful to maintain even relationships or states where I only create credits. 「人間関係のこじれは、無駄なコストだ。そういったものを持たないためにも、常にイーブンの関係、あるいは貸しだけをつくっている状態になるように注意している。」

• Don't worry about being treated
• Don't hesitate to treat others

Cut the Fat from Your Life

If someone like me who isn't blessed with talent aims for first-class, I have no choice but to cut the fat from my life and make it as simple as possible. I have no choice but to clarify what isn't needed. 「僕みたいな才能に恵まれていない人間が一流を目指すのであれば、生活から贅肉を削ぎ落として、極力シンプルにするしかない。何が要らないかハッキリさせるしかない。」

Don't Aim to Earn Large Amounts of Money

If you make earning large amounts of money a measure of success, there's no limit, and you'll strangle yourself too. 「多額のお金を稼ぐことを成功の物差しにすると、際限がなくなり、自分の首も締めてしまう。」

Attitude Toward Becoming a Professional

From my perspective, fighters who continue part-time jobs aren't professional fighters. To put it harshly, they're just part-time workers who also happen to be fighters.

Since money and time are limited, at least until you distinguish yourself, you should devote everything to fighting. 「お金も時間も限りがあるのだから、せめて頭角を現すまでは、すべてを格闘技に捧げるべきだ。」

There's No Bubble That Won't Burst

Money you thought was natural suddenly stops coming. When you actually face reality, it's truly frightening. 「当たり前だと思っていたお金が、いきなりパッタリともらえなくなる。いざ現実に直面してみると、とにかく恐ろしかった。」

Since there's no bubble that won't burst, what's important is how to not lose yourself and steadily increase your own value. 「弾けないバブルはないのだから、大事なのはいかに我を忘れず、己の価値を地道に上げていくかだと、身に染みる。」

Freelancers Are Strong in Recessions

Freelancers are often said to be insecure and unstable with no guarantees, but I think they're actually strongest in recessions. Only by not hanging onto organizations and abandoning stability can you gain real strength. 「フリーランスは保証もなく不安定な立場とよく言われるが、実は不況に一番強いと思っている。組織にぶら下がることなく、安定を捨ててこそ、本物の強さが得られる。」

Actively Challenge Multiple Genres

I believe actively challenging multiple genres without being bound by preconceptions broadens one's range. 「先入観にとらわれず多ジャンルに積極的に挑戦することは自分の幅を広げてくれると考えているからだ。」

What Is Success in Life?

If you can find something you can devote your life to, I think 80% of your life is successful. 「自分が人生をかけて打ち込めることを見つけられたら、人生の８割は成功だと思っている。」

Don't Lose Your Own Values

Are the clothes you bought really what you wanted? Are the friends you're going drinking with tonight really important people? From my perspective, many people seem to be burdened with unnecessary people and things, losing their own values. Doesn't the grass look greener on the other side, making what happiness means to you become blurred? 「あなたが買った服は本当にあなたが欲しいものですか？今晩飲みに行く友達は本当に大事な人ですか？僕から見ると、多くの人は不要な人やものを抱え込み、自らの価値観を見失っているように思える。隣の芝生が青く見えてしまって、何が自分にとっての幸せなのかぼやけてしまっていないだろうか。」

That’s all about wanting to live without reading the air from the Gemba.