I live and work in Japan, and the other day I was talking with a group of foreigners who really want to move beyond the English-teaching track. They want better jobs, more freedom, more options.
But over and over I heard the same thing.
“Yeah, I want to pass N1… I just don’t study.”
“I mean, I should study more…”
It made me realize something:
A lot of people think Japanese only “counts” if you sit down for a full hour with textbooks spread out like an anime study montage.
But here’s the truth:
If you learn ONE word or ONE grammar point a day, you’re still learning 365 new things a year.
That’s 365 steps forward.
That’s 365 more than zero.
That’s how real progress actually happens.
And the crazy part?
One minute today can turn into five minutes tomorrow… then ten… then a full habit that sticks.
Momentum only appears after you start.
The only real enemy here is becoming a 三日坊主 or the “three-day monk.”
In plain English: someone who quits right after they start.
Don’t be that person.
You don’t need perfection.
You don’t need an epic two-hour study grind.
You just need consistency — even tiny consistency.
Your future self will thank you for every small step you take today.
Keep going. You’ve got this.
by AdUnfair558