The Japanese Method That Created a $700M Baseball Player

A struggling high school track team in Osaka ranked dead last out of 380 schools. Three years later, they were #1. The system their coach created would later help transform a high school sophomore named Shohei Ohtani into possibly the greatest baseball player since Babe Ruth.

That system? The Hirata Method — and it might be the most comprehensive approach to goal achievement ever created.

The Power of Process

While most goal-setting systems focus on what you want to achieve, the Hirata Method obsesses over how you’ll get there. It breaks down seemingly impossible achievements into five key phases that separate elite performers from everyone else.

1. Goal Setting with Purpose — The method starts with an unexpected focus: service to others. Before you outline your personal ambitions, you identify how achieving your goal will benefit your community. This broader purpose creates resilience when the journey gets tough, and helps prevent the tunnel vision that often derails elite athletes.

2. Deep Self-Analysis —  The method demands complete honesty about your current state across four dimensions: mental (focus, confidence, attitude), skills (knowledge and capabilities), health (diet, exercise, recovery), and life (relationships, balance, support). This creates a clear picture of your starting point and identifies the gaps between where you are and where you want to be.

3. The 64 Matrix —  At the heart of the method is the creation of a 64-point action plan. You identify 8 key areas needed to achieve your goal, then break each area into 8 specific tasks or habits. This forces you to think beyond the obvious and creates a comprehensive roadmap for success.

4. Daily Discipline —  The method isn’t just about planning — it’s about execution. Each day includes morning affirmations, task prioritization, evening reflection, progress tracking, and regular mentor feedback. This constant loop of action and evaluation ensures you stay on track.

5. Monthly Revision —  Goals and strategies are reviewed and adjusted monthly. This prevents the common trap of setting a goal and forgetting about it, ensuring your path remains relevant and achievable as circumstances change.

The Bottom Line

The Hirata Method isn’t just another goal-setting framework — it’s a complete system for achievement. While most athletes focus on their desired outcome, this method creates the daily actions, habits, and mindset shifts needed to get there.

The results speak for themselves. From a last-place track team to first, from a high school sophomore to a $700 million baseball player, the method has proven its worth at the highest levels of sport.

What impossible goal could you achieve with the right system behind it?

Your Challenge for the Week

The Harada method can be a lot of work. I’m not expecting you to go all in. Still, it is worth going through the first two steps.

1. Think about how your goals benefit your broader community

2. Across the 4 areas of mental, health, skills, and life grade yourself. How are you doing in each area?

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Book Recommendation

The Harada Method: The Spirit of Self Reliance — https://amzn.to/3QjRFqp

If you want to learn more about the Harada method, this is the best resource. It takes you through all the exercises that make up the system. To be honest, it isn’t the best written book I’ve ever read. A few things got lost in translation. I think the ideas are great and you can build your own framework off of this baseline. 

You can also listen to the full podcast episode I did on the Harada Method if you’re more of an auditory person!