They were the people I met at the first company I worked for.
At that time, I was working in a technical support call center. It was a very small operation that provided 24/7 support to a select group of clients from partner companies. The work schedule was similar to that of firefighters or police officers, with one full day of work followed by two days off.
I belong to the so-called “Lost Generation,” having entered the workforce during the employment ice age in Japan. It was an era when simply getting a job was a challenge, and I had no choice but to work for whichever company accepted me. I started my professional life in such an unfortunate period, forced into a job I didn’t want to do, and found myself drained of motivation.
The people who influenced me were the part-time workers who joined the technical support team. Since the job required 24-hour shifts, there were designated sleeping hours at night. These part-timers were hired to handle simple tasks while we slept and to wake us up if any major issues needed escalation.
These part-timers were not living the typical corporate life, and I had the opportunity to hear about their diverse experiences. There was an investor who took the job because it was a well-paying part-time gig to earn some quick cash. Another person was self-employed in the IT field and took this job as part of their broader activities. One had been unable to work due to stress-related health issues and joined this job as part of their recovery. Another was preparing for the bar exam and chose this job for its flexible hours. Their varied lives gave me a glimpse into a world I hadn’t known.
At the time, I was in my late 20s, feeling both frustrated and stagnant in my current job, which I was continuing without any passion. I knew I couldn’t stay like that forever—I needed to do something—but I wasn’t taking any concrete steps. I was simply going through the motions of each day.
But listening to the part-timers’ stories and observing their lives inspired me. I realized my current job wasn’t what I truly wanted to do. I wanted to find a career that aligned with my passions. And to achieve that, I needed to change myself.
Their influence motivated me to start taking concrete actions: I began preparing for a career change and even enrolled in a university program for working adults. They were the catalyst that helped me make significant changes in my life. Unlike me, who had been passively drifting along, they all worked with purpose, aiming to achieve their own goals. It was a stark contrast to my aimless way of working, and it pushed me to start moving forward.
I wanted to pursue work I genuinely cared about and could see myself continuing for a long time. These part-timers made me realize I could change, and they ignited a spark in my heart.
Though they never directly told me to change jobs or take action, their way of living inspired me deeply. I am profoundly grateful to them for showing me that it’s possible to transform your life.
