“We’ve always done it this way.”
2026-11-02
“We’ve always done it this way.”
It sounds like an explanation, but often it is simply an excuse.
Experience is valuable. What worked in the past can teach us a great deal. But past success does not guarantee future success. Markets change. Technology changes. Customers change. Competitors change. We change.
When someone asks, “Why do we do it this way?” and the only answer is, “Because that’s how we’ve always done it,” we may have stopped thinking.
There is comfort in repeating what we already know. Change requires effort. It creates uncertainty and sometimes leads to mistakes. So continuing the old way can feel safer.
But safety can become avoidance.
And we should let people make mistakes.
In Japanese, we say, “失敗は成功の元” — Failure is the foundation of success.
If we never allow people to fail, they will eventually stop trying anything new. A mistake made while trying something new can teach us more than years of simply repeating what already works.
Of course, we should learn from experience. But experience should not become a wall that prevents the next generation from trying their own ideas.
The past should be our teacher, not our excuse.
Let people try. Let people make mistakes. Let people learn.
Disclaimer: I use AI as a tool to help create images and proofread my writing. However, the ideas, opinions, experiences, and messages in my posts are my own. AI does not generate my posts for me. It simply helps me present my own words and ideas more clearly.
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
Kenichi Uchikura
Founder & CEO
Pacific Software Publishing, Inc. (PSPINC)
Uchikura & Co., LLC.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..
ABOUT THIS BLOG
I was born and raised in Japan and have spent most of my adult life in the United States. Through this blog, I share Japanese culture, language, expressions, and wisdom. My goal is not to say one culture is better, but to explore different perspectives and what we can learn from them.
Your comments are always welcome.
..-･**･-....-･･-..__..-･･-....-･**･-..