"市場が求めるものを作った時だけポイントが得られます。だから、間違ったことに一生懸命働いても、誰も気にしないでしょう。"

You know that feeling when you've spent hours, maybe even days, working on something only to realize it wasn't quite what people were looking for? That's the essence of this quote. It's about the importance of focusing your efforts on creating something that meets the needs of your audience or market. You could work your butt off, but if you're not solving the right problem or offering something people actually want, all that effort is in vain.

Take a moment to think about the invention of the Segway. Back in the early 2000s, it was hyped as a revolutionary mode of personal transport. The inventor, Dean Kamen, and his team put in years of hard work and millions of dollars. They genuinely believed the Segway would change the world. But, as it turned out, the market wasn't there. People didn't see the need for it, and it didn't fit into their daily routines. Sure, it was a cool innovation, but it wasn't what the market wanted. All that effort, ultimately, didn't get the traction they hoped for.

So, what does this mean for you personally? Imagine you're an aspiring baker. You could spend months perfecting a recipe for a super elaborate, avant-garde pastry. But if everyone in your town just wants a good, reliable chocolate chip cookie, your masterpiece, however impressive, might not sell. The effort you put into that fancy pastry won't bring you success because it’s not what your market wants.

Here's some advice on how to make sure you're working on the right things. Start by understanding your audience. What are their needs and pain points? What are they willing to spend money on? This could mean doing surveys, holding focus groups, or just having conversations with potential customers. Keep an ear to the ground and stay flexible.

Let’s get a bit more personal. Picture Sarah, a talented graphic designer. She's passionate about creating intricate, hand-drawn illustrations. She spends months working on a portfolio filled with these detailed pieces. But when she starts looking for freelance gigs, she finds most clients just want simple, clean designs for their websites and social media. Her beautiful, complex illustrations? They’re not what the market is looking for. So, she pivots. She takes her artistic skills and applies them to create clean, professional designs that clients are clamoring for. Once she understands what the market wants, her work starts getting noticed—and she’s finally getting those lucrative gigs.

So, next time you're diving into a project, take a step back and ask yourself: Is this what the market wants? If not, it might be time to pivot. It's not about working hard; it's about working smart. Focus your energy on solving the right problems, and the rewards will follow. Sometimes, it's not just about the blood, sweat, and tears you put in—it's making sure they’re going into something that truly matters to your audience.